News Stories

Shop small: Five treasure-hunt gems on the whimsical shelves of Seven Swans

Editor’s note: Startland News explored Seven Swans Gifts and Goods on the western edge of Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District as part of the newsroom’s five-part holiday gift guide that highlights locally owned shops and the makers within them. The items identified here were curated by Seven Swans owner Kate Bryan. Featured stores, makers and…

Jesse Hutmacher, Savage Athleisure

KC-pumped athleisure brand slashes industry prices, aiming to unlock the ‘savage’ in everyone 

Building from the ground up is no easy feat, Jesse Hutmacher said, but attacking a venture head-on is the adrenaline rush he seeks. “Anyone can be a savage — everyone has it in them. It’s about whether or not you unlock it and let go. When you think about ‘savagery,’ it’s related to a primitive,…

La’Nesha Frazier and La’Nae Robinson, Bliss Books and Wine; featured on BuyKC

KCSourceLink, partners launch inclusive ‘BuyKC’ site to add firepower to ‘Buy Local’ movement

“Buy Local” is no longer just a catchphrase or a hashtag in Kansas City, said organizers of a new metro-wide initiative led by KCSourceLink, local business leaders and community influencers. BuyKC aims to help increase sales for all local, independently owned businesses and build awareness of these economic powerhouses for consumers and corporate buyers, said…

Spicy chicken sandwich from Brookside Poultry Co.

This Brookside hotspot touts best chicken sandwich in KC, putting chef’s eye on fast casual food

The chicken sandwich wars of the 21st century aren’t limited to fast food restaurant chains, Chef Charles d’Ablaing declared, touting his local lineup of comfort food classics and laying claim to serving the best spicy chicken sandwich in all of Kansas City.  “I did it as a special, just kind of, ‘Haha, funny,’” said d’Ablaing,…

KC software group ventures into sports tech with new college athlete endorsement platform

With a new law in effect this summer allowing student athletes to sign sponsorship deals and profit off of their name, image and likeness, Artisan Technology Group jumped at the opening to help young people navigate such new opportunities, the company said. Artisan teamed with Opendorse, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based sports tech firm, to help them…