One of the things that always stands out to me on my visits to Kansas City is the sheer amount of independently-owned boutiques and shops all around the city. If you've been a reader of this blog for a while, then you know how much I love checking out vintage shops and unique boutiques in cities around the world.

I never expected to discover so many beautifully designed shops in a city like KC, but Kansas City is a creative place—you can just feel the artistic energy in the air! Every time I visit, there are new (and beautiful!) boutiques to discover and you can tell the community supports their local business. They seem to be thriving!

11 Independent Boutiques to #ShopLocal in Kansas City

Hammerpress

This is one of Kansas City’s most notorious local shops and I manage to visit Hammerpress every time I come to KC. You will find their letterpress cards and prints all around the city, all of which are produced in their large studio space in the West Bottoms neighborhood. You can even watch the screen and letter printing process in action as you shop!

• Address: 500 Southwest Blvd
• Website: https://hammerpress.net/

Birdies

A long time establishment on the KC small business scene, Birdies is a gorgeous lingerie shop offering luxury lace from around the world. The tiny footprint of the shop makes it feel intimate and cozy, the perfect vibe for a lingerie shop. The chatty and knowledgeable staff will make you feel incredible welcome and comfortable as you strip down to find the perfect fit. This is a must visit shop in KC!

• Address: 116 W 18th Street
• Website: https://birdiespanties.com/

Dear Society

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. I visited this shop in 2016 when I visited and found one of my all-time favorite vintage jackets! They recently had a flood that destroyed some of their merchandise and forced them to redo the floors, so they are in extra need of visitors and love! 

• Address: 3566 Broadway Blvd
• Website: http://dearsocietyshop.com/

Made in KC

If you are looking for awesome, locally-made gifts or Kansas City swag, head to Made in KC. There are a few locations but their Crossroads shop is the brand headquarters and flagship storefront. This well-merchandised boutique has a nice selection of mugs, shirts, patches, and enamel pins all rapping the KC community.

• Address: 325 E 31st St
• Website: https://www.madeinkc.co/

Paradise Garden Club

Cacti galore adorn this gorgeous Crossroads plant boutique and I am HERE FOR IT. My newfound hobby from the Covid quarantine was caring for houseplants, so stumbling into this plant shop made my heart sing. Predominantly offering succulents and cacti, Paradise Plant is a spacious and welcoming place that will lure you in from the streets. They also offer plant care classes and a lovely assortment of branded apparel for fellow plant lovers.

• Address: 1621 Locust Street
• Website: https://paradisegardenclub.online/

Kate

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! 

• Address: 412 Delaware St
• Website: https://shopkatekc.com/

Midcoast Modern

Another haven for locally sourced KC swag, Midcoast Modern is an adorable boutique tucked away in the up-and-coming Westport neighborhood. They have a mix of KC produced merchandise as well as other US crafts all from small makers and creatives. Their friendly staff made me feel right at home as I shopped and chatted about all the different vendors in the shop.

• Address: 314 Westport Rd
• Website: http://www.midcoastmodernkc.com/

Duet

Combining three separate concepts into one airy shop, Duet is a shared gift shop, gallery and pottery studio. It feels perfectly suited for its location, and you'll walk into a spacious + inviting space. The prime location in Crossroads makes it easy to find this cool concept store. The price point for the handcrafted pottery and home decor items is high, but there is a selection of cheaper local items as well. This store definitely has an aspirational and timeless vibe to it, with investment pieces that will be loved for a long time. 

• Address: 517 E 18th St
• Website: https://www.shop-duet.com/

Do Good Co

Do you love secondhand clothing as much as I do. Do you also love when your purchases can make an impact? Then Do Good Co is the shop for you! This locally owned vintage shop collects donated clothing and accessories from the community, then curates the donations for resale. For each purchase that you make in Do Good Co, a portion of the proceeds are donated back to community organizations and non-profits working in KC. The friendly owner was in the shop during my visit, and I loved getting to know her and what inspired her to open this shop. 

• Address: 413 E. 18th Street
• Website: https://dogoodkc.org/

Fine Folk

Considered the best high-end boutique in Kansas City, Fine Folk is a stunner— their airy, natural light-filled space is seriously gorgeous. They offer a mix of designer labels like Isabel Marant and Etten Eller as well as vintage goodies. They even share their space with an all-natural skincare brand Within Apothecary which offers amazing make up. Keep an eye out for their rescued shop dog who will be ready to greet you!  

• Address: 4504 State Line Road
• Website: https://finefolk.com/

Daisy Lee

Just a few shops down 18th street from Birdies (mentioned above) is Daisy Lee, 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. There was a great selection of vintage denim on my visit as well as a number of cool cropped shirts and band t's. The shop is small but packed with affordable gems! 

• Address: 122 W 18th St
• Website: https://www.daisyleevintage.com/

Do you have questions or thoughts about this Kansas City shopping guide? Tell me in the comments below!