Shop Fauna

Meet the Owner(s): Karen Tholen & Amanda Tholen Long of mash handmade.

Karen and Amanda run one of my favorite shops in town. Every time I visit mash, there’s something new to discover and delight in. These ladies have worked hard to curate their shop and make a space that feels inviting, crafty and creative. I won’t give away too much of their backstory - I’ll let them tell you themselves.

When/why did you start your business?

Karen: When Amanda was in college we started talking about it as a possibility someday. We knew we could work together & that it had to be something creative. I always liked to buy student art for our home (students always need money, I like to decorate) so finding independent artists & giving them a place to sell their goods + giving out of town artists a way to get their stuff into the midwest was a natural progression from that. We put together our business plan, contacted all the artists we had met along the way, and opened on October 17, 2009.

What’s the best thing about owning a local business?

Karen: Being your own boss, the interesting people you meet, being able to tell a customer the backstory of the item they’re purchasing, figuring it out and tweaking along the way, having your own little space to spend the day in.

Amanda: I totally agree, and will add that it’s a great way to have a finger on the pulse of the city. There are so many tiny places like ours, and I think being here helps us to be more aware of those businesses, to learn about them, to support what they do, and to really be able to get into conversations about what work and what doesn’t. We also have a handful of regular customers at the shoppe that just make our day when they walk in the door.

Why did you choose to open your store in Westport?

Karen: We knew we had to be in this general area to do what we wanted to do. Our landlords here at Westport 39 had recently bought & renovated this building and they had a small open space. They’re wonderful, really care about their building & tenants and we’ve all grown together here. It’s terrific.

What’s your most popular product?

Karen: Owly shadow puppets. Their maker has been with us since the day we opened the shop & they never get old. mash is the only place in Kansas City that carries them.

What’s your favorite local business (besides yours)?

Karen: River Market Antiques & for quick take-out it’s Johnny’s Barbeque in Mission. I didn’t inherit that love-of-cooking gene.

Amanda: just one? my husband and i have no reason to ever eat or drink anything less than stellar when there are places like broadway cafe, you say tomato, potpie, one more cup, waldo pizza, manifesto, the foundry, thai orchid, ruchi…

What do people say about your business?

Karen: That it’s like walking into an etsy shop. We love to hear that.

Amanda: Also that it feels good in here and is inspiring … it’s a great thing to watch wonder and joy skip across people’s faces as they move about the shoppe.

What would you do if you didn’t own this store/what are your other passions?

K: I’ve managed the Baskin Robbins in Mission for 10 years & I still do that 3 days a week. It’s a good workout & people are always in a good mood when they’re getting ice cream. I’m a pretty busy gal, but if I was at home more my gardens would look a lot better.

A: that’s a tough one, since i’m doing exactly what i’ve always wanted to do. making things is what i’m good at, so i suppose if i weren’t doing that for mash i’d be doing it somewhere else.

List Your Favorite:

TV Show:

K: Castle & anything on HGTV

A: weeds, downton abbey

Band:

K: Ben Folds Five—I’m always the oldest one at their concerts

A: ditto, ben folds. and josh ritter. and regina spektor. anyone that can tell a great story, really…

Food:

K: anything at Pot Pie

A: scallops and bread pudding @ potpie

Vacation city:

K: Summerfest in Milwaukee, WI—brats, beer, cheese curds & bands!

A: Marfa, Texas

Drink:

K: Bud Light

A: boulevard single wide ipa

Hobby:

K: I’ve loved to sew since I was a little girl.

A: making stuff

Kansas City event:

K: My husband & I are all over the place. If it interests us, we’ll go. I do love Royals baseball, especially Friday nights when they have fireworks.

A: we had a ball at the middle of the map festival and are excited to watch it grow and change in the coming years (fingers crossed!)

written by Amanda Marland

 Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Jill Hathaway, owner of J. Hathaway Shoe Boutique. Jill has such a deep passion for shoes and for her customers. Without a doubt, anyone who has visited J. Hathaway Shoe Boutique leaves with a fabulous pair of shoes, a love for Jill and a warm, fuzzy feeling. I know I did! Jill’s fun personality combined with the comfortable ambiance of her intimately decorated shop, made for a wonderful experience getting to know more about Jill and J. Hathaway Shoe Boutique.

When/why did you start your business?

I opened my second store, J. Hathaway Shoe Boutique, two and a half years ago to add more fashionable styles that not only looked great, but felt fabulous too.  I felt there is a need to be met and my store meets those needs

What’s the best thing about owning a local business?

Your shop is you. It’s a reflection of me, and I love the good relationships I have with my customers.  Every Season, my customers come in and see what I have, and they love knowing that they won’t see my shoes all over town at other stores.  My customers make me feel good about being the shop owner, they love to shop with me and that tells me I’ve done a good job.

Why did you choose to open your store in Park Place?

I love their philosophy of “shop here, dine here, work here, live here, play here.” With a strip center, you park in front of the specific store that you are going to and then leave. At Park Place, it feels like you are in a European village. You park in the parking garage and you stay and shop around, live here, eat lunch with friends and family, and even work here. I knew in the long run that the development had a lot of room for growth.

What’s your most popular product?

Italian shoes. That’s what I focus on and that’s 75% of my business. I go to Italy twice a year and work with designers to help design shoes to make sure my shoes are unique and exclusive.

What’s your favorite local business (besides yours)?

I love locally independent women boutiques that are different. There are so many shops that I have not been to, mainly because I do not have time since I work hard at my own business.

What do people say about your business?

They say that they love the store. And they do. They love the designs and my selection of shoes. The store is very comfortable, and my sales associates and I are very friendly – we have wonderful service.

What would you do if you didn’t own this store/what are your other passions?

Believe or not, the shoe industry is very male dominant.  My dream would to be a CEO of a major shoe corporation. I love challenges and accomplishing a goal; many of my sales reps and shoe friends think I should be designing stores and helping new businesses get started.

List Your Favorite:

TV Show: Fox News (No time to watch tv)!

Band: REO Speedwagon

Food: Sea Food

Vacation City: Italy

Drink: Vodka

Hobby: Sports, especially volleyball

Kansas City Event: Brookside Art Fair

Think local first: getting your necessaries at local businesses keeps more money in your community!

Put quality over quantity - locally made and sold goods and services are often a higher quality than items you can get at big box stores.

This week, it’s Meet the Owners! Casey and Sloane Simmons are the super-team of sisters behind STUFF in Brookside, a Kansas City institution. STUFF is filled with wonderful jewelry, art, and gifts - much of it made by local artisans. Casey and Sloane are also really active in their community, often volunteering and donating items from STUFF for charitable causes. STUFF is not to be missed!

Enjoy the interview with Casey and Sloane.

When/why did you start STUFF? 

We started our business in the late 1996 with no real plan. As a matter of fact, we became a store very much by accident. We opened a gallery with a bit of a twist -  one that was only going to open for shows. It was such a hit that we had to make it a full time gig soon after. When we started, art wasn’t accessible to everyone. We wanted to break down those walls. It has been quite a journey and we are still evolving today.

What’s the best thing about owning a local business?

Giving back to our community. Knowing our customers by first name. Seeing our artists grow and evolve. Supporting other local business suppliers and giving, giving, giving everything we can to local charities.

Why did you choose to open STUFF in Brookside in particular? 

We did not choose to open in Brookside when we first started. We originated in a small neighborhood called the West Plaza, we then moved to Westport for a handful or years. We moved to Brookside 11 years ago. It has been a fantastic fit. We love Brookside and we like to believe Brookside loves us.

What’s your most popular product?

ART! Handcrafted art is all it’s glory!

What’s your favorite local business (besides yours)? 

Pryde’s of Old Westport.

What do people say about your business? 

It is an EXPERIENCE!

What would you do if you didn’t own this store/what are your other passions?

Casey: …travel. Maybe write a travel blog?

Sloane: I have no idea what I would do if I didn’t co-own STUFF. I am exploring expanding my writing skills right now so maybe I’d do more in that arena. I love to read, swim, volunteer and spend time with my son and husband.

Casey’s list:

List Your Favorite:

TV Show: hmmmmm. I love cable series shows. Right now I am watching Saving Grace and Nurse Jackie.

Band: Cesaria Evora

Food: Fried Chicken Wings

Vacation city: Anywhere on a beach.

Drink: Water.

Hobby: my work

Kansas City event: Wings of Hope at our store.

Sloane’s list:

List Your Favorite:

TV Show: I can admit to not watching shows when they are first airing. My husband and I enjoy watching shows on Netflix so we can watch large sections at one time. Mad Men and The Wire are current favorites.

Band: I don’t have a single favorite. Never really have.

Food: Salad. If I can design it myself at The Mixx, even better. And, roasted broccoli.

Vacation city: I really enjoyed a trip to Scotland 7 years ago. Any city there would do.

Drink: Iced Water.

Hobby: my work and my writing

Kansas City event: Wings of Hope at STUFF. I love raising money for charity and this one fuels a cancer research fund.

Support your community by supporting local businesses. Local businesses return more money to the community and contribute more to charity than national chains.

Keep your community unique by supporting local businesses. What would you do if your favorite independently owned shop closed? Shop local and keep them in business!

Welcome to our new series, meet the owner! We’ll be highlighting local business owners throughout the Kansas City metro area.

Jeanne White, co-owner of Colfax Market Femme, kindly agreed to be our guinea pig and be featured first. Jeanne does a wonderful job making sure that Colfax has interesting, new designs in stock for their cutting-edge customers. Last year, I was looking for a piece to wear to my best friend’s wedding, and Jeanne knew exactly which necklace would work for me. 

Enjoy the interview!

When and why did you start Colfax?

I joined Terry Richardson in the parternship in 2011. Colfax is literally Terry’s baby. She designed the store and participated in the building renovation. She asked me to join her after a long relationship as customer and accessories buyer.

What’s the best thing about owning a local business?

Meeting more local, and out of state customers. It really is very social at times. I alo enjoy the opportunity to meet and build relationships with other local business owners.

Why did you choose to open your store in Westport?

I have always loved Westport. I worked in the Westport City Hall Building for 10 years nad shopped retail here. It just keeps getting better and better, and we want to be a part of the change.

What’s your most popular product?

I would say that most of our customers are excited about our selection of unique jewelry. However, our dresses are a hit all over the city. We regularly get new customers who simply saw someone in one of the designs that we sell. Our customers are our biggest asset and we buy accordingly.

What’s your favorite local business?

That question is easy! Every business in Westport 39: Chop Tops, Kathy’s Alterations, MASH Handmade, Poptopia, Boomerang and Colfax. We’re like family here and have made Westport a better place to meet your every need.

What do people say about Colfax?

Customers say that our selections are well thought-out and include on-trend designs that are affordable. We draw a high percentage of customers who choose the boutique as their go-to gift-buying destination.

What would you do if you didn’t own Colfax? What are your passions?

If I didn’t own this store, I’d spend more time at our home in COlorado. I am a retired Civil Rights Investigator and still keep my hand in Human Services in the KC area. We travel to Colorado once a month to hike, kayak and soak up all that the Rockies have to offer. The short answer is, more of the same! My life is really balanced right now: I’m helping others, pursuing my passion for fashion and design and enjoying beautiful scenery in the mountains.

Favorite:

TV Show: Castle

Band: No Doubt

Food: My husband’s grilled veggies

Vacation city: London

Drink: Caramelicious at Scooter’s

Hobby: Gardening

Kansas City event: St Patrick’s Day Parade

Know a local shop owner we should highlight? Let us know!

Vintage is the new new! Sometimes well-made vintage clothing is a better choice than new, throw-away clothing. Spend consciously and support your community.