ShopKC: Kansas City’s Local Holiday Shopping Guide

We love sharing our favorite local gifts each year in ShopKC: Kansas City’s Local Holiday Shopping Guide. The last few years have emphasized the need for supporting local stores. Whether you are shopping for your friend, your fam, the teachers, neighbors, your kids or someone else special, you’re sure to find something for everyone at Kansas City small businesses.

Thanks to Crown Center, with three levels of local shops, for making this guide possible! They are your source for one-of-a-kind, locally owned shops.

Crown Center | Kansas City, Mo.

When it comes to shopping for the holidays in Kansas City, Crown Center isn’t run of the mill. You’ll love the unique finds at locally owned, one-of-a-kind stores. Whether you’re looking for a gift for your friend, parent or child, you can find all you need in one place. With holiday traditions, unique local shopping, delicious dining, can’t-miss events and dynamic attractions, Christmas memories are made at Crown Center.

Perfect for: everyone on your list.

The Black Pantry | Midtown Kansas City, Mo.

The Black Pantry is a premium brand shop that sources and curates quality products from Black-owned businesses across the nation. Their journey started in late 2020 as an opportunity to support Black businesses, and to provide respectable shelf space for Black products. They also host events, pop-ups, and continued support to more Black businesses with over 200+ products carried.

Perfect for: men, home decor and novelty items

Charlie Hustle | Plaza

There is nothing like classic KC Heart apparel. Whether it’s sweatpants, masks,  t-shirts, hoodies, scarves and hats, this is our favorite way to show our city pride. Be sure to also check out their Arrowhead and Collegiate collections for unique fan gear.

Perfect for: the whole family.

Collector's Cache | Lenexa + Online

Are you kids deep into the world of Pokémon? You won’t find a better selection of cards in the metro than Collector’s Cache in Lenexa. Established in 1988, Collector’s Cache has been a symbol of quality cards, toys, and other various collectibles. You can order online to see their full inventory and then pick up at the store.

Perfect for: kids, new babies.

The Corner Candleshop | Brookside

The Corner Candleshop (formerly 5B), has cute gifts but we can’t resist their handmade candles. Sign up for a monthly subscription box for the gift that keeps giving, grab a votive to pair with a gift card, or choose 10 votives and get 2 free for the best deal to sample their amazing scents. Our team’s favorites include Midnight Mass and Frasier Fir.

Perfect for: teachers, neighbors, girlfriends.

DEMDACO | Legends Outlets

DEMDACO offers an exclusive range of artist-driven gifts including home decor products, holiday and seasonal gifts, baby gifts, fashion jewelry, accessories & more. You can also visit their in-store coffee bar which serves Messenger Coffee and a small assortment of baked goods from Ibis Bakery.

Perfect for: women in your life who love to decorate or entertain

Fat Brain Toys | Prairiefire Overland Park + Online

Fat Brain Toys features toys that spark imagination and curiosity. You can visit their store at Prairiefire where free gift wrap is available or shop online for delivery or curbside pickup. We love the Fat Brain Collection, which features toys and games designed and developed by Fat Brain toymakers!

Perfect for: kids, especially those into the hot Dimpl toys.

Good Mood Kids | Online. Local Delivery

Good Mood Kids was started by a local mom featuring sustainable, organic clothing, toys and decor. You can even start a capsule wardrobe!

Perfect for: kids from baby to age 8. Check out the cutest Santa lovey!

KC Style Haus | Plaza

KC Style Haus is an upscale collective boutique of curated local independent artists and businesses – a marketplace of new, refreshed, and custom furniture; home décor; original local art; clothing and accessories; personal care items; stationery; kitchenware; baby and children’s items; candles; pet products; sweet and savory treats; fresh-cut flowers; the full line of Fusion Mineral Paint products; and interior design services.

Perfect for: those who love to decorate, entertain and support local makers

KD's Books | Lee's Summit

A local bookstore specializing in children’s books, KD’s Books has been part of the Lee’s Summit community for over twenty-five years. Curbside pickup is available.

Perfect for: kids of all ages.

The Learning Tree | Prairie Village + Online

Skip Amazon and shop your kid’s list at The Learning Tree, which has a collection of high quality toys in Prairie Village available for shipping or curbside pickup. And a huge time saver, they will stuff your stockings for you! Send in your kids’ names, ages and likes (teens, grownups and dogs, too!) and  the staff will collect fun stuffers into a bundle for you. Starting at $50.

Perfect for: kids of all ages.

The Little House | Prairie Village

This adorable clothing boutique aims to dress children like children and has been doing so for more than 50 years. They also have shoes, books and gifts. The Little House recently moved from their Fairway, Kan. location to the Shops at Prairie Village.

Perfect for: baby and kids who like to dress well.

Made in KC | 10 Metro Locations

Made in KC is one of our favorite stops for all the best KC pride gifts. From shirts to food + drink to home goods, you’ll find something for everyone! One of our favorites is the collection of KC books for kids by authors you’ll recognize like former Mayor Sly James or everyone’s favorite meteorologist Gary Lezak.

Perfect for: your partner, friends, out of town relatives.

Mission: Board Games | Mission

A family friendly store for learning through fun and games. Board games for all ages and tastes — classics and new releases — kids games and adult games. Proud to be a local business in Mission, Kan. and North KC and part of the gaming community in the Kansas City metro area.

Perfect for: the whole family.

Nickel and Suede | Liberty and Plaza Stores + Online

Our team’s favorite stop for earrings – Nickel and Suede – just opened a retail location on the Plaza, in addition to their Liberty location. We love their gift guides that range from the owner’s favorites to help for a husband to best for tweens and teens. We love everything but are partial to their classic leather

Perfect for: mom, girlfriends and teens.

Peeps Baby Boutique | Olathe

Peeps Baby Boutique is housed next to Kansas 4D Ultrasound in Olathe. They offer baby items from clothes to stuffies to blankies and binkys from popular brands.

Perfect for: expecting parents, babies ages newborn to 12 months

Pink Antlers | Leawood

The Holiday Collection is out at Pink Antlers — a party and gift store at Park Place. From adorable Santa cookie plates to unique decor, this is a fun place to find unique gifts or a little something for your home.

Perfect for: hostess, teachers, yourself.

Shop Local KC | Midtown

Shop Local Kansas City is a retail gift and flower shop in Midtown, Kansas City (3630 Main Street to be exact), as well as a curated, online marketplace featuring more than 300 Kansas City artisans. Shop Local KC is an extension of founder Katie Mabry van Dieren’s other passion project, The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair, established in 2011. Each and every handmade item you will find was created right here in Kansas City.

Perfect for: Kansas Citians of all ages

Sierra Winter | Brookside

Intricately designed by Sierra Otto, Sierra Winter Jewelry is a handcrafted collection of high-quality and inspired pieces. When you wear Sierra Winter Jewelry, we hope that you feel as good as you look… which is good as hell. Sierra Winter Jewelry pieces are made using high-quality sterling silver, 18K gold vermeil, and natural stones.

Perfect for: your mom, treating yourself

TableTop Game and Hobby | Overland Park

TableTop Games is a non-electronic game store that carries a massive variety of board games, miniature game and accessories, role playing games, classic games and more.

Perfect for: any board game lover of all ages

Textured Haus | Zone Rosa

Textured Haus is a locally-owned home decor and furniture boutique. Find statement pieces for the refined home — everything from the perfect vase or planter to soft throws and gorgeous sofas and tables to anchor your room.

Perfect for: people in your life with style

Sarah McGinnity
Sarah grew up in Manhattan, Kansas (Go Cats!), she moved to Minnesota where she met her husband, Shea. Realizing how much she hated snow in May, she convinced him to move to Kansas City in 2010. Together they have lived in Midtown, Waldo, the Plaza, and now Overland Park. Sarah is mom to four kids including a teenager and a toddler. She has her master’s in urban administration and is passionate about making Kansas City a more equitable and supportive community. In between the crazy, she likes to drink coffee, run, hike, travel as much as possible, and experience all things Kansas City!