Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City’s creative spirit has spent four weeks meeting the world face to face. Today, Sunday, July 12, is the final chance to walk through the City of Entrepreneurs Marketplace and discover what more than 100 local businesses and creators have brought to the city’s global moment.
The numbers already tell part of the story. More than 92,000 visitors have explored the Marketplace since it opened, turning the temporary shopping destination into a major showcase for Kansas City talent, products and ideas.
Created through a collaboration between the City’s Neighborhood Services Department and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, the Marketplace brings together artists, clothing sellers, jewelry makers, established brands and small businesses that shoppers might otherwise never encounter.
Kansas City resident Rachel Seiffert said the wide selection captures the city’s creative range.
“I think it shows just how diverse we are,” she said. “There are jewelry shops, there’s artists, there are vintage pop-ups for clothes … ”
World Cup excitement can be found throughout the space, but the Marketplace is not limited to soccer themed merchandise. Visitors can also shop for goods that are distinctly tied to Kansas City, offering residents and travelers a way to take home something connected to the community itself.
For Brendan Spicer, who visited with colleagues, the experience offered a mix of recognizable Kansas City names and unexpected discoveries.
“You’ve got a lot of favorites in the city; You’ve got Made Mobb, you’ve got J. Rieger … But then there’s dozens and dozens of small local vendors that most people, even local, like the three of us, would never get to see,” he said.
That visibility is central to the Marketplace’s larger purpose. City leaders see the project as one way to strengthen Kansas City’s entrepreneurial network while helping local businesses reach new customers and find room to grow.
“Kansas City is home to so much local talent, and we want to give the world a chance to experience the creativity, innovation and art that defines our city,” Assistant Director of the Neighborhood Services Department Nia Webster said. “Kansas City is on the global stage, and the Marketplace shows what we’re capable of.”
After attracting tens of thousands of visitors, the four week run closes today. Those who have not yet visited have one final opportunity to browse, shop and see the local creativity that Kansas City has placed before a global audience.
More information is available through the City of Entrepreneurs website.
