What makes shopping in Brookside so special is…you are going to find things here that you will not find in a generic chain store.  Everyone likes to have something unique and personal!  And now Brookside has a new store that is a step beyond that—a shop that features local Kansas City area makers, Shop Local KC. Inside you’ll find a large, stylish selection of handmade goods showing off the many creative talents in the metro area.

Owner Katie Mabry van Dieren earned a degree in journalism from Kansas State University and was planning on being a lawyer.  She discovered this would be a boring path for her—she wanted to nourish her creative streak.  So, Katie started making jewelry and participating in the Strawberry Swing Craft Fair.  Eventually she took it over and when COVID forced changes to the event, she decided to showcase local craft makers online and started Shop Local KC.  Katy quickly expanded to a storefront on Main St in midtown (now closed to open the Brookside space) and two other locations:  Crown Center and at 95^th and Mission Road inside NBKC in the Ranchmart Shopping Center.    And she still runs the annual Strawberry Swing event!  This is the 13^th year for Holiday Swing, which creates a holiday shopping village in the Crown Center Square next to the Ice Terrace.

At Shop Local KC’s Brookside location, Jenny Kane is the shop manager—she is Katie’s longtime friend and photographer.  You can browse on your own or ask Jenny for help finding gifts and personal presents:   browse the jewelry, pottery, seasonal towels and décor, apparel, notebooks and candles.  Best sellers include Messner Bee Farms honey, lotions and lip balm and graphic tee shirts. Shop Local KC represents over 300 local artisans and all of their items can be ordered online for delivery as well.   There is also a floral section with flowers from local growers including a nearby Amish farm. Stop in for a grab and go bouquet, or order an arrangement for delivery.  Actually all of their items can be ordered online for delivery as well! 

Katie is a long time Brookside resident and lives nearby with her husband and two children.  She wanted to open a Brookside spot  because through the years, “Brookside has kept its historic original architecture and sense of a close, local  neighborhood community.  And that is what our shop is all about:  promoting the creativity of local makers.”

Shop KC Local is open seven days a week at 6245 Brookside Plaza, on the same block as Foos and SKINKC.  Visit them online at www.shoplocalkc.com for browsing and delivery options.