Strawberry Swing's Shop Local KC
Meet KC’s latest local wonderland:
Shop Local KC
Photos by Bennett Hense
Kansas City’s newest local shop goes by the name of “Shop Local KC,” and that’s exactly what you can do there! Located in Midtown at located at 3630 Main Street, the shop is owned by Katie Mabry van Dieren, the founder of the popular Strawberry Swing craft fair. After meeting with Katie I learned a lot about her passion for creating and making products that work for Kansas Citizens.
Katie had a vision and is on a mission to provide an umbrella hub for local artists, craftsmen, and florists in Kansas City. “The celebration of all things handmade” is apparent the minute you walk into the store. Katie showcases the highest quality handmade goods in this unique retail, gift and flower shop. Among her favorite products are the fresh flower bouquets from local gardens– and her new dried floral wall is the perfect spot to pick up an everlasting arrangement that’s perfect for these fall and winter months ahead.
Originally a group of 25 grassroots makers, now hundreds of artisans embrace the diversity of Kansas City through their creativity and make up the network of vendors represented at Shop Local KC. “You can feel good knowing that every add to cart or purchase infuses good into our community.” The positive ripples started with a Christmas market that spanned four weekends and generated millions of dollars in Kansas City business. The event was an absolute success, welcoming 1800 people per day. The brick and mortar location now offers customers and fans a way to shop in person at their convenience, and all throughout the year.
ShopLocalKC is an extension of Katie’s Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair established in 2011, which was instantly popular with art lovers in KC. This ongoing outdoor event can be found on weekends at historical Kansas City venues. Katie explained that in the words of Coldplay, strawberry swing represents the perfect day. Whether your perfect day is summer, fall, winter, or spring, support your local and regional artists at Strawberry Swing!
Upcoming dates include:
SAT, Oct 9 @11am - Red Bridge Shopping Center
SAT, Oct 16 @ 11am - Waldo Shops (8201 State Line Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114-2002, United States)
SAT, Oct 16 @12pm - West Bottoms (1447 Liberty St, Kansas City, MO 64102-1004, United States)
SAT, Oct 23 @ 11am - Brookside (6115 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64113-1417, United States)
FRI, Nov 26 @5pm - The City Market
Of course, when the market isn’t in “Swing” (had to!), you can always stop by the shop Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 10-3.
