OUR FAVORITE KC SHOPPING EXPERIENCES
Here are some of the best places for retail therapy in Kansas City. We’re sharing the big places, the little shops, unique boutiques, and our own personal favorites for shopping in the KC area. There’s a mixture of locally sourced, clothing, home furnishings & décor, gifts, and treats for both pets and humans! It’s time to get out and explore the unique retailers Kansas City has to offer. Ready, set, SHOP!!
MALLS & SHOPPING PLAZAS
- Corinth Square | Prairie Village, KS – Located at 83rd and Mission Road, the shops, stores, and restaurants of Corinth Square are a tradition for residents of Prairie Village. Corinth Square is a unique, open-air collection of more than 50 businesses among a few walkable blocks—a community within a community.
- The Country Club Plaza | Kansas City, MO – The picturesque views of the Spanish influenced background entice visitors to this KC premier retail, dining, and entertainment destination. Plaza shoppers will find pleasant surprises along each block—from boutiques to delicious eateries, stylish salons, and fine jewelry. (The Plaza is featured in the photo above.)
- Crown Center | Midtown, Kansas City, MO – Home to the international headquarters of Hallmark Cards, Crown Center offers something for everyone. The three-level Crown Center Shops feature more than 30 shops and restaurants, and hosts numerous events year-round. Shopaholics are drawn to the unique specialty stores, headlined by Halls Kansas City.
- The Legends | Kansas City, KS – The Legends Outlet Kansas City features over 100 designer outlets and eateries, making it a great choice for an all-day shopping experience. Across a huge range of discount storefronts, the Legends Outlet is a great place to score some outrageous bargains!
- Oak Park Mall | Overland Park, KS – Oak Park Mall is the largest shopping complex in all of Kansas, covering an incredible 1.5 million sq ft. Having undergone many upgrades over the years, it’s become the go-to for department store shopping. Anchor stores include J.C. Penney’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Dillard’s, with everything from H&M to the Disney Store in between.
- Prairiefire | Overland Park, KS – Prairiefire is an exciting retail and entertainment district that offers a thoughtfully curated mix of boutiques interspersed with seven restaurants and several attractions.
- Town Center Plaza | Hawthorne Plaza | Park Place | Leawood KS – These open-air shopping areas are centered in the heart of Leawood around 119th, between Nall and Roe Avenues. From one-of-a-kind boutiques to high-end fashion names, and big-name retailers for every home and lifestyle, you’ll find it all here!
- The Village at Briarcliff | Kansas City, MO – A charming Tuscan village tucked into the hills overlooking downtown Kansas City, the Village at Briarcliff is a unique shopping destination of local boutiques and world flavors.
- Zona Rosa | Northland, Kansas City, MO – Nestled within upscale neighborhoods in Kansas City north, Zona Rosa will take you back to a time when life moved a bit slower, and things seemed simpler. Embrace the spirit of old-fashioned charm in this “city within a city” atmosphere, offering shopping, dining, and entertainment, as well as office and residential space.
HISTORIC CITY SHOPPING DISTRICTS
- Brookside | Kansas City, MO – The Brookside Shopping District is a standout retail destination dating back to the 1920s. The surrounding area flourishes with leafy boulevards and family-owned shops. Matching the venerable history of the area, many of the storefronts situated in Brookside offer antique collectables and furnishings from bygone days.
- City Market | River Market, Kansas City, MO – Explore a world of sights, sounds and attractions for the whole family. Browse an eclectic mix of shops and boutiques. Taste flavors from around the world at a wide variety of unique restaurants and cafes. Gather fresh and imported ingredients, bulk spices and more from specialty grocers and produce stands. Visit the region’s largest Farmers Market for locally grown produce, prepared foods, handcrafted & vintage items. All local. All year.
- Excelsior Springs, MO | Downtown area – Come to Excelsior Springs’ Historic District for a bevy of shops, from artisan inspired to the chic and sleek! You will find antiques, home furnishings, apparel, upcycled furniture, paintings, fine jewelry and more. Many times, the best gifts and keepsakes are found in these shops and boutiques. Come explore!
- Lee’s Summit, MO – Downtown area – With more than 60 locally owned businesses, including unique retail shops, and many restaurants and bars ranging from upscale to laid-back, Downtown Lee’s Summit is an eclectic and fun place to visit. A unique combination of preservation of history and place, with progressive attitudes and entrepreneurship, make Downtown Lee’s Summit a great place to live, shop, eat and play.
- Overland Park, KS | Downtown area – Situated on the historic Santa Fe Trail, Downtown OP is located on either side of Metcalf between 78th and 83rd streets and is an integral part of the community’s heritage. Downtown Overland Park’s charming past and small-town flavor have grown into a modern and vast array of nearly 300 locally owned and operated businesses. The area is known as a strong community, focused on great food, the arts, and friendly local businesses lining the walkable streets and close-knit buildings.
- Parkville, MO | Downtown, Main Street – This historic riverfront community has a unique welcoming feel all its own. Stroll along the streets where settlers traded in years gone by. Relax by the river where steamboats cruised to destinations unknown. Experience the new Parkville with beautiful neighborhoods, vibrant shops & boutiques, plus incredible restaurants that offer traditional to trendy, and everything in between!
- The West Bottoms | 12th Street Bridge Entertainment District, Kansas City, MO – With unique shops, vintage stores, restaurants and bars with live entertainment, events such as First Friday Weekends, Boulevardia Beerfest, West Bottoms Car Shows, and the excitement of 4 haunted houses in the fall, the West Bottoms is a great model on how old rail towns can convert themselves into thriving communities without having to sacrifice their unique character. The West Bottoms is quickly becoming one of the next big up and coming areas in the city.
- Weston, MO | Downtown area – A haven for talented artisans, craftsmen, musicians, and writers, Weston has one-of-a-kind shops you simply won’t find in ordinary shopping centers: boutiques, a custom jeweler, antique reproduction furniture, a candle maker pouring daily, garden stores with art and fountains, stained glass and textile artisans, art galleries, massage therapists, an old-time hardware store, an old-fashioned soda fountain, global offerings, and more! (Even a tobacco shop, set in a tobacco warehouse.)
- Westport | Kansas City, MO – Westport, Kansas City’s original entertainment district, boasts a rich history as the oldest established community in Kansas City. More than 150 years ago, Westport marked the passage into the Western Frontier and set the foundation for what it is today; a thriving shopping and entertainment district. Westport is a fusion of local eateries, fashionable boutiques and hot nightspots compounded with remnants of the neighborhood’s historic past.
KANSAS CITY FLAIR
- Charlie Hustle Clothing Co | The Plaza, Kansas City, MO – Beloved Kansas City T-shirt designer Charlie Hustle is known for its KC heart shirts and is the perfect place to stock up not only on KC merch, but also the brand’s nostalgia-inspired shirts.
- Kansas Sampler & Rally House | Leawood Town Center, Mission, Oak Park Mall, Olathe, KS – Show your Kansas City pride by stopping into Kansas Sampler. Rally House/Kansas Sampler has all your favorite hometown teams in stock, making sure you are geared up for a day at the ballpark, stadium, or while you are relaxing at home.
- Made in KC | The Plaza, Lee’s Summit, Lenexa, Red Bridge, Corinth Square, Briarcliff, Prairiefire, Midtown – Made in KC features over 300 local artists, designers, and makers, providing a robust platform for local small businesses to share their brands across the Kansas City area. From apparel and accessories to items for the home, books, and more, you’re bound to find something you can’t live without!
- Mid Coast Modern | Westport, Kansas City, MO – Mid coast modern is a Kansas City based retail shop. A source for design-centric home goods, apparel, jewelry, artwork, and limited-edition gifts. They support makers, artists, and indie businesses from the “mid coast” and bring in goods from around the U.S. to offer a unique, fresh selection.
- Westside Storey | Kansas City, MO – Located on the Westside of KC where pioneering urban dwellers have infused life into this charming neighborhood. Westside Storey currently hosts over 20 local Kansas City companies and artists and has become a favorite spot for KC-themed T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets.
UNIQUE FURNISHINGS & HOME DÉCOR
- Bella Patina | West Bottoms, Kansas City, MO – Bella Patina is Kansas City’s premier stop for Vintage & Antiques. Whether you like retro, mid-century modern, shabby chic, industrial, primitives, or anything else you can think of, they have three floors full of incredible furniture and decorations that fit everyone’s style. Open every First Friday weekend of the month.
- Nell Hill’s | Briarcliff, Kansas City, MO – Nell Hill’s was established by Mary Carol Garrity in 1981 in an old bank building in her hometown of Atchison, Kansas, named after her grandmother, who was an early Kansas pioneer. Since its humble beginnings, Nell Hill’s has grown to become one of the most popular home interior stores in the Midwest. In 2019 Nell Hill’s relocated in Briarcliff Village in Kansas City. Nell Hill’s welcomes guests from all over the country to find beautiful home décor, bespoke furniture, and design inspiration.
- Pink Antlers | Park Place, Leawood, KS – At Pink Antlers you can find unique items for throwing a party, decorating your home & for giving gifts. They offer a wide range of paper goods, party supplies, home decor, art, cards, candles, baby items & more!
- Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities | Westport, Kansas City, MO – Pryde’s is located in the heart of historic Westport in a three-story brick building built for the Helen Thomes School of Dance in 1922. Since 1968, Pryde’s has been serving Kansas City with 10,000 square feet of kitchen and home accessories. Pryde’s is the hardware store for cooks!
- Urban Mining | Westport, Kansas City, MO – Urban Mining is a unique once-monthly vintage venue featuring authentic vintage furniture, art, decor, lighting, antiques, traditional and mid-century, industrial era, and maker-crafted treasures. Open every First Friday weekend of the month.
BOUTIQUE CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
- Daisy Lee Vintage | Crossroads Arts District, KCMO and Oak Park Mall – Daisy Lee is a quirky vintage clothing boutique with a colorful collection of women’s clothing. Offering altered and original vintage clothing, this shop feels like the place you will find perfectly on trend items. The shop is small but packed with affordable gems!
- Dear Society | Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City, MO – Dear Society is an adorable clothing boutique with well-curated collection of new clothing, vintage clothing, home decor and apothecary items. It is a mix of lots of things that blend seamlessly in the cozy Broadway Blvd space.
- EB and Company | Leawood, Brookside, and The Plaza – EB and Co. is a modern accessories brand and fashion boutique founded by Emily Bordner. Embodying her own sense of style, Emily curates and creates pieces that are trendy, unique, and perfect to gift or get.
- Halls | Crown Center, Kansas City, MO – Discover Kansas City’s ultimate style destination. A Kansas City tradition since 1916, Halls has set the standard for shopping excellence for generations. Halls offers unmatched service, thoughtfully curated head-to-toe fashions, and styles you won’t find anywhere else in town within a creative, inspiring environment – all marked by a commitment to impeccable quality.
- In Clover | Corinth Square, Prairie Village, KS – In Clover is a women’s clothing and gift boutique. “In Clover” means the feeling of luxury and comfort, and their goal is to provide the highest quality customer service and offer the best selection of clothing in Kansas City!
- Kate KC | River Market Area, Kansas City, MO – Tucked off on a side street near city market is Kate KC, a charming women’s clothing shop offering a curated collection of small brand pieces. The name of the shop is a nod to Katherine Hepburn, and the selection of clothing here has that effortless chic style that she was famous for. The price points are reasonable, and you’ll find a lovely selection of jewelry and accessories to boot!
- Matches Boutique | The Plaza, Kansas City, MO – Matches Boutique strives to offer a diverse collection of clothing to match the diverse collection of people in the world. They believe fashion should be as creative and expressive as you!
- Nickel & Suede | The Plaza, Kansas City, MO and Liberty, MO – What started as a small leatherworking hobby has grown into one of the trendiest jewelry shops in KC. Sporting unique leather-and-metal earrings and jewelry, Nickel & Suede has two area locations!
- TeaElla | Overland Park, KS – TeaElla is a family-owned, trendy boutique in the suburbs of Kansas City. They have a retail location and an online store. Their mission is to outfit women of all ages in trends that make you feel like a million bucks but won’t break the bank!
- Threshing Bee | Prairiefire, Overland Park, KS – Threshing Bee is a boutique collective like no other. Shop the BEE and find unique boutiques, each with its own style along with a mix of the brands you love.
MEN’S WEAR
- Halls | Crown Center, Kansas City, MO – While not specific to men, Halls stands out as a flagship of fashion, with a seemingly unlimited offering of clothing collections—fancy, casual or somewhere in between. Find outfit inspiration and instant wardrobe upgrades in every department!
- Houndstooth | River Market, Kansas City, MO – Enduring style is the focus at this men’s shop featuring suits, sportscoats, and casual wear.
- Paolini Garment Company | Kansas City, KS – If you crave the glamour, polish, and style of decades past, don’t miss a trip to this store. The luxury custom clothier features suits, sport coats, trousers, shirts and more, all thoughtfully designed and impeccably tailored.
- ULAH | Westwood, KS – ULAH offers a thoughtfully curated collection of ready to wear clothing, accessories, gifts, home accents, and essentials. Co-founders, Buck and Joey created ULAH to serve today’s fashion forward and multi-dimensional man who is both rustic and modern, balancing a life that is both casual and professional, and whose experiences are both small-town and cosmopolitan. ULAH helps men dress for life.
TREATS FOR YOUR PETS
- Three Dog Bakery | The Plaza, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, Leawood – Founded in KC, they’ve been making tails wag since 1989, and today their mission remains the same—feed the souls of dogs and the people that love them. Crafted from scratch in small batches, their highly skilled pastry chefs use only simple, real ingredients, slow baking each recipe to lock in all those luscious flavors and canine-loving nutrients. So healthy and so drool-worthy, they consider their treats and cuisine to be the very best in the animal kingdom.
- Whiskers Cat Café | Midtown, Kansas City, MO – Welcome to Whiskers Cat Café, where you can get your coffee fix and your kitty fix in a comfortable, fun environment. Their ultimate goal is to find their resident kitties their forever home with their partners at KC Pet Project. So come grab a cup of coffee and spend time with their adoptable cats. Maybe even do some yoga or paint your own masterpiece with them. They dare you not to fall in love! You can also shop for fun cat themed gifts for you and your pet.
TREATS & GIFTS FOR YOU
- Christopher Elbow Chocolates | Crossroads Arts District, Kansas City, MO – this little shop brings art and chocolate together. Each piece of handcrafted chocolate is carefully airbrushed, creating a variety of colors and flavors that range from Venezuelan Spice to Lavender Carmel. The chocolates can be purchased individually or in customizable collections that make for the perfect gift. It’s local, it’s creative, it’s delicious, it’s chocolate. What’s not to love?
- The Roasterie’s Factory Café | Westside, Kansas City, MO – Shop their KC Marketplace to take home a piece of Kansas City. Then watch as your coffee is roasted, blended, and packaged. Witness the craft cold brew process as it goes from brewing to canning.
- Topsy’s Popcorn | The Plaza, Crown Center, Overland Park, + 8 Additional Area Locations – Originally opened in 1948, Topsy’s is the oldest merchant on the Country Club Plaza. Today Topsy’s has 11 popcorn shops throughout the Kansas City area. Stop in for their decorative gift tins filled with delicious gourmet popcorn, available in a variety of flavors, and other KC treats.
ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFTS
- Fetch | West Bottoms, Kansas City, MO – Fetch was established in 2017 by two best friends who were passionate about creating a new kind of retail space and environment unique to Kansas City. They have since curated a lifestyle brand for artisan made paper goods, gifts, and vintage apparel.
- The Fiddly Fig | Brookside, Kansas City, MO – A family owned and operated premiere florist, committed to providing the highest quality flowers, plants and gifts available at the fairest price possible. This store is filled with delights you won’t find elsewhere!
- The General Store | Downtown Overland Park, KS – The General Store & Co. opened in the heart of downtown Overland Park in 2011. They’re a modern mercantile curating a wide selection of design-led everyday goods, thoughtful gifts and curiosities all sourced locally, regionally, and globally. And they like to have fun…
- Hammerpress | West Bottoms, Kansas City, MO – Hammerpress is a letterpress print shop, design studio & retail store based in Kansas City, Missouri. They design & print all of their letterpress goods in their studio. Their general store is filled with unique home poster décor, stationery, cards, invitations, and gift items. Come explore the studio!
- Hawthorne and Ivy | Waldo, Kansas City, MO – Hawthorne and Ivy is full of a wonderful selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, home decor, gifts & seasonal items, all at exceptional prices.
- Indigo Wild | Midtown, Kansas City, MO – Producing all-natural products infused with good karma for the body and home since 1996, including the wildly popular Zum line. Never tested on animals, the Zum line includes numerous all-natural products and blends: lotions, soaps, candles, body rubs, bath salts, aromatherapy sprays, baby products, dog products, laundry soaps, household cleaning products and more.
- Junque Drawer Boutique-Studio | Olathe, KS – Artsy jewelry, hand-painted signs, novelty gifts & stationery offered in a cozy cottage.
- Nigro’s Western Store | Merriam, KS – The Original Nigro’s Western Store is the longest family run western store in Kansas City. Founded in 1956 by Tony Nigro Sr, its authentic western wear and tack has brought in customers from all over the Midwest. For three generations and more than 60 years, Nigro’s has sold high-quality boots, hats, and quality western wear from the most reputable manufacturers. You’ll find a lot more than just western wear though… From Wrangler jeans and pearl snap shirts to women’s boutique clothing and men’s dress shirts, there’s something for everyone.
- Prospero’s Books & Media | Midtown, Kansas City, MO – Founded in 1997 with three floors of books and media, meet and take home the greatest minds in history, or join in on KCs finest, running conversations at the counter. Located in the scrum of KC’s bohemia. A five-minute ride from the Plaza and downtown convention district. Make a day of it! Grab a drink and a bite just outside their door along 39th Street’s restaurants and bars.
- Rainy Day Books | Fairway, KS – This independent bookstore has been around since 1975. In addition to being a fantastic bookstore with excellent service, Rainy Day Books also hosts author events with big names like Megyn Kelly, Alton Brown, and George R. R. Martin.
- A Store Named Stuff | Brookside, Kansas City, MO – A store named STUFF is an artistic lifestyle store. The STUFF Sisters represent fine artists, handmade creators and small batch makers and creators. They sell work by local, regional, national, and international artists. They have a jury process to select makers that create one-of-a-kind, handmade, original, unique, inspirational, clever, artistic, innovative, eclectic, and witty collectible, decorative and functional art.
- The Tasteful Olive | Downtown Overland Park, KS – The Tasteful Olive is a specialty food store that is concerned with the improvement of our health. They bring in the freshest and very best oils available internationally, with one of the largest selections, (over 75 varieties) in the country. They have an amazing stock of oils, vinegars, and pantry items, which make excellent gifts for those who love to cook.
- 10,000 Villages | Downtown Overland Park, KS – Ten Thousand Villages Overland Park is more than a store. It’s a place where you can explore and connect with your global village. Discover organic clothing + jewelry, home décor + hand knotted Bunyaad rugs and specialty foods + beverages from over 45 countries. They have been doing business differently for over 20 years in Downtown Overland Park, always putting people and the planet first. You can trust your handmade purchase and donation directly impacts the life and community of its maker, breaking the cycle of generational poverty and igniting social change.
