16 Local Resources for You on Small Business Saturday! (Support Local Shops Near You)

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Today, more than ever, it’s helpful to support our local small businesses. If you’re not familiar with Small Business Saturday, we’ve got an explanation and some inspiration for you, as well as a list of 16 amazing locally-owned businesses for your holiday shopping this year!

Celebrating Small Business Saturday: A Guide and Resource for KC Parents and Pet Owners

Small Business Saturday, falling on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is more than just a shopping day; it’s an opportunity to strengthen communities and foster relationships. As parents, grandparents, and pet owners, your choices impact not only your family but also the community at large. Here’s why and how you can make the most of Small Business Saturday:

1. Building Stronger Communities:

• Local Impact: Shopping at local businesses keeps money within our community, supporting local jobs and services.
• Community Connections: Small businesses often support local events, sponsor youth sports teams and schools, donate to charity auctions, and support fundraisers for animal rescue centers. All of this creates a network of community support for our kids and animals in need.

2. Unique and Personalized Gifts:

• One-of-a-Kind Finds: Local shops, enrichment programs, and activities often offer unique items and experiences. This helps to make your gifts more personal and special.
• Customization Opportunities: Many small businesses can customize products, camps, classes, and lessons adding that extra personal touch for your loved ones.

3. Educational Opportunities for Children:

• Understanding Economy: Shopping locally helps children understand the economy on a smaller scale. Talk to the kids about what you’ve gotten for them, where it came from, and why you chose to shop local. It’s always a great time for a quick and short, yet important, life lesson.
• Learning Money Management: Involving children in shopping experiences can be an excellent practical lesson in budgeting and managing money. Let them help you shop local small businesses for gifts for others.

4. Healthier Options and Quality Products:

• Quality Over Quantity: Small businesses often focus on quality and customization, offering better-made products, or more customized events, that better meet the needs and interests of the recipient.
• Healthier Choices: Local food businesses often provide fresher, healthier options compared to commercial chains.

5. A Chance to Create Traditions:

• Family Outings: Make Small Business Saturday a family outing, creating lasting memories and traditions. Let the kids help pick out, or even create at a local studio, special gifts for their teachers, Grandma, and siblings.
• Storytelling and Legacy: Share stories of your favorite local shops and products with younger family members, passing down a legacy of community support. Some of our favorite small businesses were destinations when we were kids and now we love to take our own kiddos to those same places, making a family tradition of it.

6. Supporting Entrepreneurship and Innovation:

• Fostering Innovation: Small businesses are often at the forefront of innovation, offering new products and services. Franchises are often small businesses owned and operated by your neighbors. While they have the support of a corporation, they are still pouring their time and treasure into creating their own business in order to serve their community.
• Encouraging Entrepreneurship: By supporting local businesses, you’re encouraging entrepreneurship within the community. Often small businesses are family-owned and operated with multiple generations working alongside each other.

7. How to Shop Local Effectively:

• Plan Ahead: Research local businesses and their offerings ahead of time.
• Spread the Word: Use social media or word-of-mouth to promote Small Business Saturday within your network.
• Explore New Places: Use this day as an opportunity to explore new shops and local businesses you haven’t visited before.

Here’s our List of Local Small Businesses Ready to Serve Your Kids and Pets!

Many of them provide the “gift of an experience” so that the child, or pet, who receives it gets to “do something”, “go somewhere” and “learn or try something new”. All of these sources offer gift certificates. Activities and experiences are a joy to give ~

• Bach to Rock, Leawood is owned by a local Kansas City mom with young children. Owner, Angela, works to provide customized musical programs for kids of all ages. They have classes for kiddos starting as young as 1 year old, all the way through adults. Get a gift certificate and let your recipient choose from piano, guitar, strings, drums, and songwriting, They can “Learn to DJ”, be in a Rock Band, Record a Demo, Beat Making, and many more options. They have camps during spring break, summer, and winter break, and Rock Band Birthday Parties too! Live performances are a big part of the experience. Your favorite musician or musician-to-be will love this as a gift!

• Ceramic Cafe, Overland Park is owned by Sara, a local mother and grandmother, who has been fueling creative fun since 1997 in this ceramic art studio. They have constant special events for all ages. Sara says she offers “creative therapy for the soul” at Ceramic Cafe. She loves to see the delight in children’s eyes when they see their shiny and colorful masterpieces, the sentiment a mother feels when she sees her baby’s tiny footprint on a tile, and the amazement a customer gets when they realize “I can do this!” Ceramic Cafe is a place for people to celebrate and explore their creative side.

• Dogtopia of North Overland Park is owned by Madhavi, a local entrepreneur who loves dogs and decided to provide a new and beautiful space for doggie daycare, boarding, and special spa treatments to keep them fresh and healthy. They just opened this year and are already making a mark on the horizon when it comes to pup socializing, play, and care. You just have to stop and check out their new space. A gift certificate for open play, a spa day or daycare is sure to please your favorite dog mom or dad.

• Heart of America Invisible Fence is locally owned by dog lover, Tyler. Tyler and his team provide indoor/outdoor pet containment systems and training. Keeping your dog safe in their own home and yard is their top priority. Give them a call and let them help you explore the options that best meet your needs.

• i9 Sports of Kansas City is owned by local area Director, Gene G. He and his team work hard to provide amazing sports opportunities for KC kiddos. Their approach is to provide fun and sportsmanship while minimizing the stress. So there are no tryouts, no practices, just the fun of the game. Kids can choose basketball, t-ball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, or lacrosse

• KC Watersports is owned by local dad, Sean. Their two cable lakes have been spinning wakeboard fun for well over 15 years. Their team is always willing to take the time to teach and progress each and every rider regardless of age or skill level. They tell us that their customers are their friends– ask any of the regulars! There’s always someone around willing to answer any questions that you may have. Give the gift of their Learn2Ride wakeboarding lessons, summer camps, private parties, or an open board time pass. They have a surf shop too with some great gift options.

• Learning2Fly in Mission, KS is owned by Sumya, a local professional athlete, college fitness professor, aerialist, and international yoga and fitness instructor. She’s been serving our community since 2010 when she founded Learning2Fly, a community, and Ariel fitness center for people of all ages in the Kansas City area. Her special interest in children has inspired innovative youth programs and parent-and-child activities at the center.  She and her team provide Aerial Silks classes and programs for literally all ages and abilities. Kids love her camps and birthday parties. But you may love it just as much as the kids do!

• Lori’s School of Music in Independence is owned by local mom and grandmother, Lori. She inspires local kids with private and group lesson opportunities. Ages 4 and up enjoy the process and the journey of learning piano from Lori. Call her at 816-478-4838 for more details about openings. The gift of music lasts a lifetime.

• Paint, Glaze & Fire Ceramics and Coffeehouse in Overland Park is owned by local mom, Susan. Paint, Glaze & Fire has been serving area kiddos for decades providing creative fun in a warm & fun environment to create the next masterpiece. Susan and her team love providing a unique paint-your-own-pottery space where people of all ages can have fun, make art, and flex their creative muscles. There are no rules – let your imagination soar as you create a personalized, perfect piece or painting. They host birthday parties, girls’ night out events, storytime for the littles, and fundraising events. And they provide private and group classes for painting, glass fusion, and clay. You can even bring the fun home with you by picking up pottery-to-go or paint-at-home kits. It really is the place to create forever memories and have a masterpiece keepsake to take home. Giving a gift certificate for a session at PGF is always a hit.

• Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids has three locations in the metro, each owned by a local mom. Shear Madness is actually a franchise business now with locations all over the country. But it all began right here in the KC metro, developed by a local single mom. Shear Madness has grown to be a tradition for Baby’s 1st Haircuts, toddlers who are unsure of the haircut experience, and kids who love to play video games while they get pampered. They also provide Divatastic Birthday Parties, the most expansive hair bow selection you’ve ever seen, unique toys that are perfect for stocking stuffers, and kid-friendly hair care products that are gentle on your munchkin’s skin and eyes. Stop in to see them in Lee’s. Summit, Olathe and Northland. Santa will thank you.

• Sunset Trails Stables in Lee’s Summit is owned by local cowgirl, Maggie. Her love for horses and all animals started at a very young age. She competed in local 4-H shows, the Youth Rodeo, and the MO High School Rodeo, and even earned the title of Miss Rodeo Missouri. Maggie took over Sunset Trails Stables after college. This is truly a family business spanning generations. They provide horsemanship lessons for youth and adults, winter break camps, summer camps, bonfire events, trail rides, birthday parties, and other private events. Give the gift of horseback riding lessons this year!

• SuperKidzClub in Shawnee, KS is owned by local mom, Amanda. They recently moved to a beautiful new state-of-the-art location with tons of new activities and play areas for kids ages 1- 15. Recent reviews from local parents marvel about how their kids from very different age groups all had a blast at SuperKidz Club. The memberships are perfect for repeat play dates by providing unlimited access Mon – Fri, and one free session/day on weekends and holidays too! This indoor action is particularly awesome when the weather isn’t cooperating. Their Birthday Parties have a new participant, Felix the Robot! He helps to deliver cake and treats to the kids for an unforgettable experience.

• Taste Buds Kitchen in Leawood is owned by local mom, Jenny. Their beautiful kitchen provides classes, events, and camps for baking, and cooking all types of cuisine. TBK is the perfect gift for anyone on your list who likes to eat yummy creations. They truly have something for every taste, from sweet treats to Italian feast creating opportunities where you learn to make your own pasta. Taste Buds Kitchen offers cooking classes & parties for kids, families, and adults ages 2-99.

• UrbanAir locations in Lenexa and Overland Park are owned by Joe, dad of two young kiddos. UrbanAir has become a staple for anyone looking for jumping and climbing fun. They of course have trampoline attractions, but did you know they also have Virtual Reality, Spin Zone, Battle Beam, Sky Ryder, Climbing Wall, Tubes Indoor Playground, Warrior Course, and more. A membership is the perfect “gift of an experience” for action-packed fun.

• Yaya’s Alpaca Farm is owned by local grandpa, Karl. His love of alpacas inspired this unique farm and destination. They raise these adorable alpacas for the gorgeous fleece that they produce and to share them with our community. They had over 16,000 visitors to the farm last year, and 4,000 more to their annual Christmas event. Karl and his team take great joy in sharing their sweet alpacas with all of us on their tours. A gift of this remarkable experience will make some lifetime memories for the entire family. 

• Zoom Room in Overland Park is locally owned by dog lover Tyler. Their new facility is a sporty place to play with your dog. They also provide classes to develop communication and deepen your enjoyment of your dog. The perfect place to host a dog party. An indoor dog park – your own private playground whatever the weather. A positive, social atmosphere to meet like-minded dog lovers. A handpicked assortment of the very best dog gear. They have Gift Certificates For Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. On Cyber Monday they are having a 20% OFF discount on all retail and services (excluding flex memberships). And they’re giving out pumpkin pie pup cups all weekend!

Small Business Saturday is more than just a day for shopping; it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact on your community and create lasting memories with your family. By choosing to shop local, we are not only finding unique gifts and experiences for our loved ones but also investing in the health and prosperity of our very own community. In these times, more than ever, our small businesses need us.

Let this Small Business Saturday be a day of discovery, tradition, and community support.

From our iFamily to yours,

Happy Holidays!

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