Supporting Local All Next Week in Kansas City

In the past decade, America has seen the rise of a #supportlocal movement. The heart of what we call “the Heartland” is the people, working hard to grow the communities that we live in. We are learning to seek out the “Mom & Pop” businesses and support the underdog. Our values that built America drive us to the local businesses of the Heartland. When we choose the local coffee shop on the corner instead of the national chain down the street, we are building a stronger economy, a stronger community, a stronger belief in ourselves.

photo-1Here in KC, we have a lot of choices. Our friends at KC Local Week have planned a week full of wonderful ways to support our local community. Starting August 15th and ending on August 21st, KC Local Week challenges you to eat, drink, and shop locally. Live Local for a week. Don’t forget to interact locally as well by hashtaging #EatDrinkShopLocalKC, #KCLocalWeek and our personal hashtag #promotekc.

 

Our Suggestions!

KCUP of JOE and Doughnut Monday:

colonyTo kick off the week, KC Local Week’s theme is “KCup of Joe(+ Doughnuts) Monday!” We all need coffee on Monday, right? Why not visit a local coffee shop today, instead of hitting Starbucks? Our pick this year? Colony in NKC! The coffee, each cup brewed individually by hand is so good. Don’t forget your doughnut- hit up locally owned Le Monde next door to Colony, Fluffy Fresh in Mission or KC Donut Co. in Olathe! Other Favorites: Crow’s Coffee, Oddly Correct, and Hi Hat Coffee Be sure to snap a picture of you and/or your local beverage and post it to your favorite social media outlet with #kclocalweek #eatdrinkshoplocalkc #promotekc

Want something more family friendly to get the kids involved? Visit a local ice cream parlor like Murray’s or Betty Rae’s to support! Order Coffee Ice Cream!!

Two-For-Tuesday:

Kansas City knows how to show their pride. Tuesday is “T-Shirt Tuesday!”  We have a huge choice of local retailers that sell quality clothing with aspects of Kansas City incorporated in-from ball caps, unique home decor, and tees! Wear your t-shirt with pride today! Don’t have one yet? Visit one of the following retailers and get one!

13716199_10209881337654423_6801842739607769863_nWe, of course like Charlie Hustle, but also look at some up and coming designers and shops like Farmdog Studios, Made in KC, or Waldo T-shirts that offer unique KC made products! One of our newest favorite is friend, Scott Poore’s design, available at www.adoptdontshopkc.com that packs a punch by giving back to Great Plains SPCA with every t-shirt sold. The KC Paw Print design comes in Royal Blue or Chiefs’ Red. Again, be sure to capture your #KC pride and snap a pic and post with the ##kclocalweek #eatdrinkshoplocalkc or #promotekc. Not in KC? make sure you let us know where you are showing off your love for KC! Now, want a fun place to go in your t-shirt?

Tuesday also is a day for TACOS! Kansas City is a great city for Taco Tuesday- some of our local favorites are Taco Republic, Rudy’s Tenampa Taqueria and Anita’s! Branch out and find a new local favorite!

Wellness Wednesday (and Lunch on the Cheap!)

One of the themes today is ” Local Lunch on the Cheap!” Two things we love- #Local and #Cheap! The options are endless. Here are our picks!

We definitely don’t want to forget the Northland this week so our top lunch pick is Le Monde Bakery! The “Famous” Chicken Curry Soup with steamed rice or Chicken Salad Croissant makes a perfect lunch all for under $10! Added bonus: They serve coffee made right here from The Roasterie. Want dessert? Be sure to try one of their wonderful Chocolate raspberry croissants!

Little Piggy KC

Earlier this year, we saw the birth of Little Piggy KC, a food truck hub on Southwest boulevard. This would be a great day to head down to try delicious food from locally owned trucks Red Wattle and Wilma’s!

After you have treated yourself to a “cheap lunch,” how can you treat yourself well? For Wellness Wednesday, check out a new local gym or unwind with a mani/pedi at a local spa like Hoopla!

“Local Bucket List” and “Thirsty” Thursday:

The theme today is “Local Bucket-list Thursday.” What’s on your bucket list for KC? We know what the tourists want to do, but how about the locals? There are so many fun and interesting things to do in KC, it’s hard to narrow the list.

This year, we would like to try something “new-to-us,” so here are our suggestions!

Dinner at Brown & Loe: Brand new in the River Market, Brown & Loe was originally a produce broker with offices on the second floor of the Merchant’s Bank building. This is a true local venue, evidenced by the restaurant’s loyalty to the resident farmers and food artisans who supply most of the restaurant’s fresh ingredients.

Haven’t taken the Street Car yet? Do it tonight and stop off at Ruins Pub, Kansas City’s only “self-pour” bar or Tom’s Town Distilling Co. to celebrate Thirsty Thursday!

DATE-NIGHT Friday:

Friday is “Date Night” in Kansas City! Grab your sweetie and enjoy one of the many local establishments or events!

Our favorites:

For drinks and dinner:
KC is so lucky to have so many great restaurants, many that are earning prestigious awards! Cafe Europa, Port Fonda, plate., Summit Grill & Bar, Rye, The Rieger Hotel & Exchange, the list is endless… Just be sure to pick somewhere locally-owned and to grab a pic with the #eatdrinkshoplocalKC #KCLocalWeek and #promotekc

For something totally new and fun, try Chicken N Pickle! This new and exciting entertainment venue is in the Northland and combines fitness and fun! Play a game of pickle ball on one of their in or outdoor courts and relax afterwards in the beer garden with a local Boulevard beer and a chicken salad sandwich. TVs outside to catch the Royals’ game as well! We had so much fun touring this place!

SMALL BUSINESS Saturday:

12118708_10208184365957787_5504218146345408941_nSmall Business Saturday! This day is for all the Mom and Pop stores and shops out there! Kansas City is rich in the small but mighty business and we hope you can go out there and spend your money at these local spots to support our community! We are going to hit Underdog Wines(even the name of this store screams LOCAL!), The Middle KC in Parkville, the new Jeweled Gypsy on the Plaza and  Nickel & Suede in Liberty.

 

WE BRUNCH Sunday:

If you have made it this far, keep going #LOCAL! Today’s theme: We Brunch! Of course, KC has tons of great brunches to choose from! Where are we going? Westport Cafe and Bar! The food is fabulous and when you order off the brunch menu, you get one complementary Bellini, mimosa, bloody Mary, coffee or soft drink. Doesn’t get any better than that!

Promote KC would like to throw in a local challenge for the week as well. One thing that isn’t mentioned a whole lot when we think of supporting local is donating local! On this Sunday, consider giving back to a charity that makes an impact on the local community right here in KC. Check out local non-profits like Ella’s Hope for Autism, Great Plains SPCA, or Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. Local charities are a vital part of our community and keep donations local to KC. Don’t have a favorite charity? Donate some much needed school supplies to your local school district. Your local teachers will appreciate it!

You can probably tell at this point, we heart #KC! So let us know your favorite things to do on our Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter pages and don’t forget to take pics and hashtag #eatdrinkshoplocalkc #KCLocalWeek or #promotekc!

– Hope McPheeters, Contributing Editor

Hope McPheeters is a Contributing Editor at www.promotekc.com with emphasis in Kansas City. She and her husband also own a digital marketing company that helps local business owners with their web presence. www.digitalwebetc.com

Featured Photo Courtesy of KC Photo Blog under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.