News Stories

Oak Park Mall wants local makers shut out by Painted Tree’s closure to find new home alongside national retailers

“We know shoppers love discovering local makers,” said Oak Park’s Karla Rocker Engel, “and at the same time, much of our traffic is driven by well‑known national brands. Our goal is to bridge that gap by giving local businesses the opportunity to tap into that built‑in audience and benefit from the incredible foot traffic our mall generates.”

This lobster roll’s journey to KC began with a chef who wasn’t satisfied wearing the short apron

“Everyone’s head is down making sure we are knocking it out of the park,” said chef Brandon West, fresh from opening Frankie Pickle’s in Prairie Village. “I’m all about growth.”

Populous acquires longtime collaborator, adding OJB Landscape Architecture to its urban design portfolio

A Houston-based firm playing a key role in the vision for a sprawling urban park — spanning a capped section of I-670 in downtown Kansas City — is joining the portfolio of a high-profile global design firm with its own foundations set just blocks away.

‘We are the culture’: KC Chamber finalists link business identity to leadership at the top

“This is our American Dream, it’s our version of it,” said Vu Radley, describing the early days and journey of MADE MOBB, the streetwear brand he built alongside fellow first-generation immigrant co-founders Jesse Phouangphet and Mark Launiu.

Meet your World Cup neighbors: Open Doors! reveals 20+ business, artist activations 

Nearly two dozen small businesses, artists, and organizations will move into vacant storefronts this summer as part of an initiative to keep Kansas City’s local business ecosystem at the epicenter of FIFA World Cup action — and beyond, said Nia Webster.