Shop Local KC
I love to shop local, and Kansas City boasts many great one-of-a-kind stores I’ve come to love. In no particular order, here is a list of unique, local Kansas City places to shop.
5B&Co. Candles
5B&Co. is one of my favorite candle places in KC. I used to love going every time we visited Weston. Happily, they are now in Brookside. The votives are a perfect little size (I love using them in my office), and the scents are awesome. My go-to favorites are the burnt sugar, eucalyptus mint, fresh cut grass and peony. The seasonal scents are worth a special trip in. I love all their fall and Christmas fragrances!
Pryde’s Kitchen Westport
Pryde’s bills itself as the “hardware store for cooks,” and I think that’s pretty accurate. The store boasts aisles upon aisles of fun kitchen stuff. If you love Fiestaware like I do, you’ll find Pryde’s a Fiestaware mecca full of whatever you might need.
Trapp Candles
If you’re looking for the highest quality scented candles in KC, I think that award goes to Trapp. Trapp candles are a little more pricey than other candle stores but are totally worth it. Even their votives can fill a whole room with really rich scents. They have some awesome unique fragrances as well, so I’d recommend just making a special visit to their store!
Three Dog Bakery
Three Dog Bakery is like a wonderland for crazy dog people (such as myself). I love visiting Three Dog to pick out new treats for Truman. Their treats are gourmet (think Bichon Biscotti) and are all natural and safe for human consumption as well. I even tasted a bit of Truman’s cake one year and it really was not bad. Speaking of cakes, you can get custom ordered dog birthday cakes, which of course I have to do for Truman every year. This year he requested carrot cake with peanut butter frosting.
The West Bottoms
The West Bottoms is a treasure trove of vintage, antique and basically anything else home-decor related that you could imagine. Many stores in the West Bottoms are housed in the giant old warehouses and each one is a bit different. I recommend not going on a First Friday weekend because it’s just so crazy. Most of the stores are open during the other weekends of the month, so you can get all your shopping done with none of the crowds. The shops do have strange hours, so make sure you check their websites, Facebook pages or just call to make sure they’re open. Some of my favorites are Restoration Emporium, Good Ju Ju, Pink Daisy, Nook and Cranny and Bella Patina. Several of the stores also offer fun classes, like crafts, seasonal decor, wreaths, furniture refinishing, etc. Check their Facebook pages for more information about that.
Vom Fass
I fell in love with Vom Fass when we lived in St. Louis, and I was so excited to see one finally come to Kansas City! Located on the Plaza, the shop offers all kinds of oils and vinegars, as well as a big selection of liqueurs and wines. My favorites are the apple pie liqueurs, nut chocolate liqueur (really good in coffee) and the sour cherry liqueur. You can sample pretty much anything, which I love.
Better Cheddar
Better Cheddar is one of my favorite places to visit on the Plaza. It’s a cheese/jelly/preserves/soda store where you can taste-test all sorts of cheeses and dips. I love coming here to get gjetost (our favorite variety) and trying new cheeses. You can get however much you want, whether you’re looking for party size or just a snack size to eat with wine.
Andre’s Confiserie Suisse
If you want the best chocolate/sweets in Kansas City, you go to Andre’s. Seriously, everything at Andre’s is amazing. I love going there for Easter for their marzipan animals, or anytime for some hot chocolate and truffles. They have an amazing restaurant too, so you really can take your time and relax.
Andrea Plunkett Ishmael is a lifelong Kansas Citian with a passion for shopping local.