We would like to thank Main Street Parkville and the local businesses for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Landing at English Landing

One of the things that makes downtown Parkville so quaint, is that it has retained its small town feel. Walking along the sidewalks you can imagine you have been transported to a small town nestled in the countryside. Periodically, a train will pass through the area, much like you would find in so many Midwestern towns. The atmosphere beckons you to slow your pace and enjoy a relaxed visit. We started our exploration in English Landing Center, which is located on a hillside closer to the river. La Bottega Vintage Market is an antique and collectibles shop that has a variety of booths, with items from different vendors. Our morning visit was cloudy and cool, so we wandered through the spaces with an eye peeled for treasures. Just a little ways away, we happened upon Old Town Sweets. Here shoppers can satisfy their sweet tooth from an assortment of goodies. Be sure to check out their vintage candy packages that they use for decorations.

Putting the Pieces Together

While Crystal and I are not big into clothing creation, we have had reasons to purchase fabric in the past. New pillow covers, fabric screens or even just using a piece of fabric in a picture frame can add a special touch of home decor. Finding that unique pattern is especially fun during the holidays. At The Fabric Chic they have so many colorful options that it makes the final decision more interesting. If quilting is more your style, you will find all of your materials at Peddlers Wagon. Located at the top of the hill, on Main Street, this Parkville shop has a homey feel, like visiting grandma’s house.

Designer Digs

One of Crystal’s favorite reasons for visiting Parkville shops is to check out the latest inventory at the clothing boutiques. J. Quinn Boutique is newer to the area, so it’s not surprising to find her checking out their fashions. Across the street is Sincerely, Ellis, which is her favorite boutique clothier in Kansas City. She actually first found them in the West Bottoms, and rejoiced when they joined the Parkville shops. They don’t have men’s clothing at either shop, but there are plenty of places for us guys to rest, while the ladies shop.

Homey Comforts

While the boutique clothing stores gravitate toward women, there are some other shops that can be savored together. Another one of the newer businesses to join the Parkville shops is Farmhouse Collection. With a home base in Jamesport, Missouri, it was a natural choice to add a location in the quaint downtown area of Parkville. This store features tons of home decor items with a country feel. Stepping through the door, you are greeted with the fresh smell of wildflower scented candles and potpourri. We even watched as one of the staff members designed a custom aroma that Crystal uses to scent our home’s bedding.

Color Your World

While we are on the subject of home decor, there is another Parkville shop you will want to visit. Samsara is just a short walk over to East Street. (One block over from Main Street) The bright red doors hint of the colors that can be found inside. This shop is filled with trendy, classic, and retro pieces that will add that certain something to just about any home. Crystal and I enjoy strolling through the store looking for that accent that will be just what we need to complete a look.

Something for the Guys

You know how I said there are plenty of comfy spots for guys to sit while their significant others shop. What if I told you that there is a Parkville shop that is designed with guys in mind. Cool Vintage Watches is everything the name says and more. I like to explore the shop checking out all of the sports memorabilia, fishing gear, old cameras, and obviously cool watches. When your legs need a rest, pull up a seat in front of the television set and watch some sports. We are sure this will become one of your favorite hangouts, when visiting Main Street Parkville.

Take Home Something Special

We wouldn’t want the ladies to feel left out, so if you head across the street you will find Parkville Jewelers. You can find matching watches, but they won’t be vintage. Of course, if you guys are in the doghouse, this is the place to find that special something to get back in good favor. Speaking of doghouses, perhaps you are looking to add the pitter-patter of scurrying paws to your home. Over by Samsara, you will find a shop being run by Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter. You can check out who’s up for adoption or just chip in by shopping in their store. The money goes for a good cause.

Jam Session

As you can see, there are Parkville shops to cover just about any subject. What if you are looking for something that just doesn’t fit in the normal boutique shop lineup? Perhaps you will find what you are looking for at Bentley Guitar Studios. Since the mid 1990’s, this has been the place in Parkville to shop for that special instrument.For those who already have a guitar, they also offer lessons, which so many of us could really use. Repair is included on their menu of services, but don’t bring in an old guitar that was destroyed during a heavy metal concert. No one can rebuild one of those.

Seeing the Parkville Shops with Fresh Eyes

Whenever we visit Main Street Parkville, we find lots of couples exploring the stores. With so much variety, it is easy to find something on your shopping list. Even if you have no purchases in mind, this quaint river town is a great destination to spend some leisurely “together” time. Strolling the brick sidewalks offers great views, fresh air, and we love the exercise. Why not make your own plans to check out these unique shops? We’ve even heard that there are some new places that will opening in the coming months. Things are looking bright in downtown Parkville, Missouri.

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They Keep Popping Up

Recently we attended a pop-up event in KCK. This style of event is organized by various facilitators who assemble a group of local vendors. Many of those selling have been running their businesses out of their homes and online. With a brick and mortar site, they struggle to build a customer base for repeat sales. These pop-up events give them the opportunity to showcase their goods to a larger group of potential customers over a couple of days.

This event took place at the Legends Shopping Center, so it is obvious that the larger retailers must see the changing dynamic in the shopping realm. Their choice to embrace these new competitors was surely based on the idea that it would create a larger traffic flow for their stores as well. While the event was earmarked for women, we saw plenty of men wandering through the booths. There were even small business owners who focused on food stuffs and non-apparel items.

Peek-a-Boutique

Crystal and I have enjoyed shopping at boutique clothing shops for quite some time. We find that they offer unique lines of clothing and we are supporting a locally owned business. When we travel we look for these same type of shops in the destinations we visit. Since most of our trips are designed to get us into the downtown districts, we usually can find at least a handful of these type of stores. When we are in our hometown, we have discovered pockets of boutiques that we frequent. One of our favorites is Sincerely, Ellis in the West Bottoms. We have come to know the owner well and that is the kind of experience we find lacking at the big box stores.

Boutique shops can often be found occupying buildings that are being re-purposed. Many of these are old manufacturing plants or warehouses. We find them to have more character and charm. It is interesting to see how the owners will reuse the space and breathe new life into it. It also allows us a peek inside of these buildings that would otherwise be shuttered from the public.

Runaway Runway

Downtown Bonner Springs, Kansas has a small cluster of boutique shops that work together to draw in shoppers. We attended one of their fashion shows where each of the shops supplied a model to showcase some of their fashions. It’s a fun way to see an assortment of their styles in a more social setting. Afterwards, most of the attendees would be heading out to visit these shops for a more in-depth look. These types of events are becoming more commonplace, as boutique shop owners are finding strength in numbers.

Box It Up

Boutique shop owners are beginning to find that city planners and developers have noticed this trend and are working to facilitate its growth. In Tulsa, Oklahoma they have developed an area known as the Boxyard. An assembly of shipping containers have been re-purposed as shops with all the amenities of a brick and mortar. These open up small spaces for growing businesses to get a more permanent home in the city. This unique shopping center attracts many of the same people who are already interested in the rebirth of the urban spaces.

A recent visit to Oklahoma City allowed us a peek into their newest upcoming destination district, Automobile Alley. This area was once home to an assortment of automobile dealerships and supporting auto parts suppliers. After a severe decline, it is beginning its rebirth as a shopping and entertainment district. The installation of a streetcar will allow locals and visitors alike to traverse the area easily. Much like we are seeing along the streetcar line in Kansas City, this Oklahoma city also predicts huge returns on their investment. We took a stroll through the area and found that some shop owners are banking on the success of the plan. The once empty spaces are beginning to fill up with unique and interesting shops.

Sitting Pretty

As the landscape continues to evolve, we expect to see more of these pop-up events across the city. With more and more shoppers seeking out unique styles and a personal experience, boutique shops will continue to flourish. While there is still plenty of space for some big box stores, we are pleased to see that the entrepreneurs who follow their dreams are finding success. After all, this is part of the American Dream and we should all be allowed to pursue it.  What are some of your favorite boutique shops? Leave us a note in the comments section below and we will check it out. Be sure to leave your name, so that we can mention you when we visit!

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