who says d*s doesn’t do the mid-west? today i’m thrilled to add another mid-western city to the growing list of d*s city guides. today’s installment belongs to kansas city, missouri and was written by kc local, kate harris. she’s included a fantastic list of shops, studios and museums so i hope you’ll enjoy the guide and if you’re in the area feel free to add suggestions below if we’ve missed anything. for the new year i’m going to try to create google maps for all of the city guides and use blurb to print these as a little book for anyone who’s interested. i know i’ll be using them when we travel this spring (i’ll be adding 5 more cities before the holidays). thanks again to kate for the great guide! click right here or click “read more” below for the full guide.
So, before I even get started, let me put forward a little disclaimer about getting around town. Kansas City (the metro area covers both Kansas and Missouri) was one of those cities developed back when land availability was unlimited… so needless to say, we spread out. Our public transportation is nil and it’s pretty much unheard of to walk, so expect to drive. A lot. Besides, if you wanted to walk you would be taking some serious personal risks as people around here are not used to pedestrians.
But all that said; current-day KC is a great city with lots of fabulous neighborhoods. They just aren’t right next to one another. So don’t let this discourage you from exploring around town. We have tons of unique shopping areas and getting more every day!
I’ll start from downtown and work my way south out to the suburbs…
This is hands-down one of the coolest areas in KC. At Broadway and approximately 23rd street in downtown, it is still what you might call ‘up and coming’, but its gaining momentum like crazy. It’s full of renovated lofts, galleries, studios, boutiques and a good arty atmosphere. It hosts a First Friday’s gallery walk every month that’s getting a lot of traffic and good press. Definitely a must if you are in town. Some of the best independent stores in town are clustered in this area of a few (walkable!) blocks. If you need more general info about the area you can check out this site for maps, concerts, gallery shows and food.
- The Webster House: It’s hard to miss the Webster House. It sits up a little higher than the rest of the district, overlooking everything like the historic older sibling that it is. It’s the oldest standing public schoolhouse in Kansas City, originally built in 1885. These days it hosts an incredible store full of antiques and accessories plus an amazing restaurant.
- Aesthetica: Their website isn’t really accessible yet, but the store is great. It just moved to a larger space and carries all sorts of interesting home goods from candles to furniture. If you buy something, be sure to get it gift wrapped. James, the owner, is a master gift wrapper and you might not even want to give it away once he’s done with it.
- Black Bamboo: A very cool store full of modern tableware, furniture and accessories. They also have a specialty in Asian antiques which makes it very hard to leave empty-handed.
- Birdies Panties & Spool: Ok, ok, so this is clothing. But who doesn’t need cute underwear and handmade clothes? Both of these tiny shops are super cool must-sees.
- Lula Mac: A beautiful space with a great variety of furniture. The selection seems to rotate, so you have to stop by often.
- Hudson Home: Luxe furnishings, lighting and accessories. For all the modern non-traditionalists around this place.
- A&O Architectural Salvage: A super cool store where you can peruse three stories of salvaged building materials! Amazing!
Hammerpress Letterpress Studio: Perhaps my very favorite store/studio in town. The owner, Brady, does amazing work and I aspire to have an occasion that I might need him to make me some invitations. You can buy all sorts of note cards, prints and posters in the studio AND he did the interior to Spin Neapolitan Pizza, by far the best pizza outside of Italy that I have ever eaten. But you’ll have to drive to the burbs to get it.
The Country Club Plaza & Surrounding Area
The Plaza is known for being one of the nation’s first suburban shopping districts (circa 1922) and this area of town is a big reason why KC is known as “The City of Fountains”. There is a plethora of outdoor art to be enjoyed as you peruse the shops and restaurants in the area around Ward Parkway and 47th. These days, the shopping includes lots of high-end chains but highlights do include Anthropologie, Cole Haan, Betsey Johnson, Burberry and Papersource. This area is also host to two museums and the Kansas City Art Institute, making it a great artistic oasis.
- Halls: Halls – as in The Hall Family, as in Hallmark Cards – has been a retail store since 1913 and has been the cornerstone of the Plaza since 1965. It’s a swanky department store that continues to set the standard for Kansas City exclusivity. A must-see especially during the Christmas season for which the displays out-do themselves every year.
- The Studio: Ok, this is a yarn store. But a gorgeous yarn store! If you are on the Plaza you should try to stop in and look around. It’s a couple blocks off the main area but worth the little hike (or drive, let’s be real) up the hill.
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art & The Bloch Building (photo above): A breathtaking building just off the Plaza, the Nelson and the Kansas City Sculpture Garden are a great place to spend the day. Its newest edition, The Bloch Building, is an incredibly modern juxtaposition to the original architecture. Along with the art inside, you MUST see it at night when the buildings are illuminated from within.
- The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art: The Kemper is another great museum with a great permanent collection and wonderful rotating exhibits. Also an excellent lunch spot inside at Café Sebastienne.
This area is one of the quintessential KC neighborhoods. It’s been around since the 1920’s and has always been a premier zip code in which to live or have a boutique. It has tons of cute restaurants and shops to explore. Located around 63rd and Brookside Blvd, it’s just a few blocks south of the Plaza.
- Stuff: As they like to say, it’s “A Store Stuffed with Wonderful Stuff”, and it’s so true! One of the coolest shops in the city, Stuff is full of original objects from a wide variety of artists. They also host classes and lots of neighborhoody events.
- Shop Beautiful: This is the oldest gift shop in KC and worth a peek in. They have been in the same building for 70 years and counting!
- J’Adore: Accessories, furniture, European antiques and other interesting one-of-a-kind finds.
- Prairie Village: We’re getting closer to the suburbs as we head to The Village at 75th and Mission Road. If you’re hesitant, just know that you will be missing out on one of the most amazing stores in the area…Curious Sofa.
- Curious Sofa: I try to get to this shop as much as I can. It’s a great resource for interesting products and fabulous styling ideas. The owner, Deb, is constantly changing the store around so make sure you go here around every major holiday because the displays are incredible. Oh, and her blog is interesting too.
- RSVP: A really cute little boutique full of entertaining ware and hostess gifts. They have a great selection of custom stationary as well. [3934 W. 69th Terr]
Mission Antique Mall: I think you could spend an entire week inside this antique mall and still not see everything. A great source for vintage everything. Just be prepared for the hunt!
Leawood/Johnson County
Welcome to the stereotypical American suburbs. Full of every chain store imaginable, it does also house some great independent finds and a new museum. Oh, and the previously mentioned “best pizza outside of Italy” is here too.
- Feng: Right at 119th and Nall Avenue, Feng is a self-described “Asian inspired lifestyle store” with fascinating home goods and fashion. Definitely one of the most unique stores around, I wouldn’t miss it.
- Statements: If you need to buy a little gift for practically anyone on your list, this should be your first (and maybe only) stop. A great variety of things as well as greeting cards, custom invitations and note cards from the likes of Tag to Kate Spade.
- Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art: A brand-spanking-new addition to the Johnson County Community College campus, this museum has been highly anticipated. I haven’t been there yet but JCCC is known for having a great focus on the arts. Should be wonderful.
Don’t let me confuse you, but this area is in the Northland of KC – opposite direction of Johnson County. It’s a brand new shopping area but it vows not to let in any chain stores… A couple of great stores have relocated to this area so I thought it would be worth a mention.
- Urban Arts & Crafts: Ahhh… a crafty girls dream store. Formerly in the downtown City Market area, this store is full of so many interesting bits it’s hard to decide what to make first. They have a friendly staff and host great classes.
- Nell Hills: A local institution. The flagship store is located outside of KC in Atchison, KS and is worth a visit. But if you can’t make it all the way out there, this will be a good option. It’s full of wholesale priced home goods. Even if you don’t have a traditional style home, you can always find something amazing here from votives to sofas.
Lawrence
Ok ok, so, technically Lawrence is it’s own town. Home to the University of Kansas, it’s about a 30 minute drive west from Johnson County. This is where I live so I had to give it its moment in the sun. Lawrence is everything you’d hope for in a college town: liberal, diverse and with a community that is totally ‘local-oriented’. We have a traditional old downtown that is FULL of amazing independent shops, eateries and bars with a killer music scene. If you have a day, I would vote for Lawrence. Call me for a personal tour if you’re in town. I could talk about downtown Lawrence all day, but here is a brief list of some favorite Mass St. stores…
- The Blue Heron Furnishings: A great contemporary furniture/accessories store. Also an excellent (and affordable!) choice for post-college people starting to buy “real” home goods.
- The Phoenix Gallery: A gallery full of original ceramics, jewelry and textiles from both local and out of town artists.
- Sara’s Fabrics: The best fabric store I know of. An endless selection of fabric, books and patterns. Sara actually works in her stores most days and she is incredibly helpful.
- The Yarn Barn: This is a dangerous store. Be careful that you don’t blow a paycheck on all the incredible yarns and weaving supplies. I have always wanted a loom…
- Hobbs: A staple for funky tableware, clothes and gifts. I guarantee you’ll find many things you need to own.
- Wax Man Candles: Just what it sounds like, a local candle maker with great stuff.
Extras!
- Bennet-Schneider: beautiful cards and stationery
- Retro Inferno: a great selection of vintage and retro-style furniture and accessories.
- Bon Bon Atelier: jewelry, home accessories and clothing from local designers
- River Market Antique Mall: a great source for antiques in the downtown City Market District
- It’s All About Her: a general site for KC info (for girly stuff). Good sources for shopping, eating, getting married etc.
Written by Kate Harris
