Everyone has that friend who goes crazy in a stationary store, and I am that friend. The next time…read moreyou need a gift for that friend, go to Hammerpress! Hammerpress has a super unique collection of paper goods, candles, soaps, and cards, which makes it a great location for a niche gift. They have beautiful cards for all occasions. There are tons of fancy pens and hand-painted, recycled-paper journals. I droll over all of their carefully curated candles and unique perfumes. This is not a cheap place to shop for a gift, but it's worth it! The recipient of the gift will feel so special and artsy. There is usually plenty of parking on the streets of the West Bottoms, unless it's a First Friday weekend - then expect to have to stroll a far distance, but Hammerpress is located conveniently close to some of my favorite antique shops.

I've been a fan of Hammerpress since they opened their first print shop in the Crossroads, way back…read morein the early aughts. As a college student I'd look forward to an excuse to trek to KCMO from Lawrence to shop here and pick up some local goodies. They've been doing this so long, you could probably even make an argument that they were kind of the original shop local spot here in the city. Flash forward and Hammerpress has migrated from their OG location to further down SW BLVD, and now to this new spot in the heart of the West Bottoms. It had been a while since I visited so I wasn't sure where they had moved to, but it seems fitting that they'd end up in the West Bottoms as many of the artists that once had studios in the Crossroads have migrated that direction as well, and it seems true to both their craft as printers, and their vibe as artists to be in yet another cool, up and coming, hip neighborhood. All of this being said, this new spot is by far their coolest. From the arched entryway, to the bright interior, you're going to find everything you've come to expect from Hammerpress. Beautiful art prints? Check! Locally made greeting cards? Check! other stationary and art goodies? check and check! Next time you need a card go check them out - you won't regret it!

Made a reservation for a girls night with my sister & we had so much fun!…read more When you walk in, you are immediately greeted & walked through each step in making a candle. They allow you to take your time & smell each candle & really try to find your favorite scent. After that, they seat you at a table & explain how to fill the little container with oils until you find the right scent for you. The experience is included with the price of the candle jar you choose. They range from 20$ all the way up to around 60$ depending on the size! It was worth it. I will come back with more friends!

Have you ever wanted to make and pour your own candle? Choose your wax holder. Next go to the wall…read moreof scents to pick out your desired scent. 1-3 scents can be added. Workers can help you with deciding if they work together. Gather items and sit down at a table. The workers will show you what to do to make the candle making magic happen. Reservations or walk in but on weekends highly recommend the reservations. You will have to wait several hours for your candle to setup or go back the next day to pick it up. So many great places downtown you can eat or shop while you wait. Love this beautiful shop! Prices start around $24 and go up from there. Includes the experience.

Love the designs and kc spirit! It really brings joy seeing small business flourishing in design…read moreand providing a more equitable option for kansas city merch!

This is a really big story, very clean and organized inside. They have a huge bar and sitting area…read moreat the back end of the store. Throughout the store they have sections of many different brands and their products, mostly supporting local KC vendors. Among different types of goods they had apparels, cards, accessories, cups, mugs, candies, chocolates, caps, coasters, posters, home candles and much more. The prices were little higher since these are local made goods, but they were excellent quality. We bought some chocolate bars and cards from the store. The staff members were very friendly, assisted us with a quick and easy checkout.

Want to donate to an organization that really is putting your gently used goods to great use for…read morechildren, families and people in need of a fresh start? Can't think of a better place or more appreciative people! No appointments necessary, just pull up with your goods, call number, and someone greets you to receive.

This is one of our favorite places to volunteer. Operation Breakthrough was started by two nuns and…read morehas grown into an organization that has helped hundreds of children and families in the Kansas City area. We have been given a brief history of the organization and it's mission each time we went. This is a great place to donate your time and other resources!

This definitely is a great place for anyone looking for crafting supplies. Especially fabric,…read morethread, and paint. The prices are affordable and I was able to grab a few things at a good price. I was expecting more variety in supplies. But it's all donation based so why would all the good stuff be donated lol. Take a look if you're in the area!

This is every crafters dream! I crochet a ton so I stopped by to check out the yarn selection and…read morewas pleasantly surprised. They had an abundance of yarn, that were unique. They also had patterns, hooks, and other textiles and fabrics. Honestly any craft, they most likely have. It felt like a crafting thrift store!