Taking the idea of handmade slime from the home kitchen to Union Station required more than a simple recipe, the women behind the new all-ages experiential venture said. Their biggest challenge in taking the popular kids activity to the masses: the complex planning and design needed within the iconic Kansas City venue.
Children play in the “Slime River” at Rainbow Slime Co. at Union Station; photo by Alyssa Broadus
Rainbow Slime Co. provides a unique and sensory-based experience where people can come to play with slime in a new and creative way. Visitors can walk through a slime river, shoot slime balls into the hoops, or make their own personalized slime at the well-known slime bar.
“As with most new businesses, no one hands over a set of steps or blueprints of what needs to be done,” said Natalie Regan, co-founder of Rainbow Slime Co. “So we had to pivot a few times throughout the planning, design, and implementation processes and be patient with delivery setbacks on custom pieces being made.”
But the struggle was worth it for Regan and her co-founders — and Kansas City slime masters — Ariel Regan, Erin Dean, and Carlye Dean, she said. Rainbow Slime Co. debuted Wednesday inside the Midtown destination.
Rainbow Slime Co. Slime Masters Natalie Regan, Ariel Regan, Erin Dean, and Carlye Dean; photo by Zach Bauman
Co-founders Ariel Regan and Carlye Dean demonstrate to children at Rainbow Slime Co.; photo by Alyssa Broadus
An “epic” grand opening is planned for Jan. 3 with El Cafe Cubano coffee and Fairway Creamery during the day, then finishing off the festivities with a 21 and over event featuring a DJ, snacks, and a bar from J. Reiger.
“We’re all about connection, and this has been an activity that really satisfies all ages,” Regan said. “It’s so amazing to watch.”
“We are all about letting people express themselves just as they are, while finding joy and connection with others in our space,” she continued. “We’re not what you expect when you hear there’s a new slime shop; we’re here to show people that slime can appeal to all ages and groups.”
Jocelyn Heckman is a Park Hill South High School journalism student and an intern for Startland News.
