KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Several changes to the Plaza have happened throughout 2018, from store closings to new openings and relocations.
Made in KC Marketplace is one of the new shops that opened up in recent months.
Its concept is bringing several vendors under one roof to showcase their brand.
The Marketplace has 15 vendors, artists who lease the space for their product line — selling wares such as plants, clothing, leather goods and food.
Made in KC has six locations, but general manager Ariel Thompson said the one on the Plaza is unique from the rest.
"Our other ones, we work with 200 to 300 different brands and we wholesale from them so we buy their products," Thompson said. "But typically we can only handle two or three of their products, versus the marketplace – they own all the products, they bring it in, and they can bring in their whole brand line."
Thompson said it gives vendors a first look at owning a retail space, and also cultivating creativity and growing businesses.
"We've seen brands come from a side hustle of 10 to 15 hours a week, to now they're full-time makers, and that's been my favorite part of the marketplace," Thompson said. "A typical lease is around a year, and then we have temporary spots that switch out every three to four months. So we want the marketplace to be evolving and changing all the time."
On the second Saturdays of each month, all the artists meet and greet with the community, showcasing their line personally.
For more information on Made in KC Marketplace, click here.
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