6 minute read
For the Love of Local
Next Article
Business focuses on area artisans and their wares.
story by Jackie Hostetler | photography by Sarah Reeves
Upon entering I Heart Local, a stylish boutique featuring local artisans located in downtown Shawnee, you’ll be met by sunny store proprietor Breck Liston. Bounding closely behind is her equally sunny boxer, Buster.
“He goes with me everywhere,” Breck cheerfully reports. “A lot of people who come into the store know him. Someone is always asking, ‘Where’s Buster?’”
Buster isn’t the only element of I Heart Local that’s been generating buzz around Shawnee. Since the store opened in October 2019, Breck and her makers have been the talk of the town.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” and “It’s nice not to have to drive all the way downtown (Kansas City) to shop local” and “So-and-so told me to come check this place out!” are just a few of the comments Breck hears often from her customers.
Comprising 28 local makers, I Heart Local carries everything from honey to clothing to dog treats (see “Pawsable” on page 33). Central to the focus of the store is Breck’s own line of metalwork called Good Vibes Metal. In fact, Good Vibes Metal was the antecedent for the entire I Heart Local concept.
“The boutique is actually our second gig,” says Breck of the store.
Prior to getting into the boutique business, Breck worked with her family’s tech business for 10 years. After a client put in an order for a number of custom-made computer chassis, the business purchased a plasma cutter, a machine that cuts through materials such as metal and copper by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma and is typically operated through computer software. The client never ordered anything again, and the Listons were stuck with the machine.
“We were wondering what to do with it,” says Breck. “My father-in-law showed me how to use the machine, and the first thing I made was a ‘Boxer on Duty’ metal sign. It took me about a year to get the hang of the software. I have a business degree with no sort of graphic design experience.”
A lot of people who come into the store know him. Someone is always asking, ‘Where’s Buster?‘
After Breck had created a few designs, she began listing them on Etsy, an online marketplace that showcases makers from around the world.
“Good Vibes started as an Etsy store, and we now have thousands of sales. We opened the Etsy store in 2016, but it didn’t really pick up until the end of 2017 and then the 2018 Christmas sales were insane.”
Her Etsy store was soon discovered by an organizer of local pop-up events, who invited Breck to share her wares, after which the business really exploded.
Breck had initially leased the space that currently houses I Heart Local just for production of her metal works. As the business grew, so did the need for square footage. They leased the neighboring larger suite to house production, after which they were left with the lease on the original space.
“We had to move right then and there, because our sales were out of control, and we had to have a second machine running.” says Breck. “We tried to sublease the original space, but it didn’t really pan out.”
After consulting with a few close maker friends, Breck came up with the idea to provide a venue to sell handmade products created within the metro.
“I have a lot of friends through the maker community. It’s a small community and people are really supportive of each other. So, in September of 2019 we started renovating this space,” Breck says.
The boutique places a special emphasis on women’s empowerment. Of the 28 makers selling within the shop, 26 of them are female-owned businesses.
“There are so many male-owned businesses out there, and we wanted to give women an opportunity first,” says Breck.
Breck placed a call on Facebook, and the response was overwhelming. I Heart Local typically houses between 25 and 30 vendors, with low turnover rates.
“We have a wait list,” says Breck of the makers eager to showcase their products. “And sometimes people just show up. We can’t take everyone because we don’t want our vendors competing with one another. We did jury and vet everyone that applied, and we selected about a fourth of the people who applied.”
The I Heart Local business model started out being similar to a flea market or antique mall, wherein vendors would rent space within the shelves of the store. This model only lasted a short while.
“We started by charging a monthly fee for each space within the boutique. Once Covid-19 hit, I stopped charging that fee,” says Breck. “My metal business was doing well, and we didn’t need the monthly fee to keep the boutique running. I felt like I wanted to help out the other makers.”
I Heart Local has also given back to the community in other ways.
“People are always reaching out for support,” says Breck of their charitable efforts. “We always donate a gift basket to the Bishop Miege auction. We’ve also given to a couple of local elementary schools. I’m not very good at saying no.”
The community has been quick to return the support.
“The Chamber of Commerce came in shortly after our soft opening. They pitched to us, and I was sold when they told me I could have a ribbon cutting ceremony,” says Breck of her involvement with the local business group. “All of the Chamber members came in around the holidays and shopped and bought so many things from the store.”
The Chamber has also been helpful in aiding Breck in making connections to other local businesses, of which she has many.
“I’m friends and talk with a lot of other local business owners. We’ve done several events with Servaes Brewery. Just little sip and shops and pop-up events. We’ve also partnered with Shenanigans and Transport,” says Breck.
Good Vibes was one of the first businesses in the downtown strip. Breck has had the unique opportunity of having a front-row seat to watch the growth of downtown Shawnee.
“I love the location. Even five years ago, there wasn’t much here,” says Breck. “Better restaurants are coming in and the breweries are really bringing people down here. It’s been fun to be part of that growth. I love Shawnee! I love the people. I love the community. It’s just a great place to own a business.”
Good vibes, indeed.
FOR MORE
I HEART LOCAL 10919 JOHNSON DRIVE, SHAWNEE, KS 66203 OPEN NOON TO 5 P.M., TUESDAYS–SATURDAYS WWW.IHEARTLOCALKC.COM | FACEBOOK: @IHEARTLOCALKC
Pawsable
PawsAbilities is on mission to help humans and dogs alike. Located in Olathe, PawsAbilities is a 501 (c) nonprofit organization that provides skills training and job placement for people with disabilities within the Kansas City area. It offers artisan dog treats, bandanas, and toys, all crafted by passionate and talented employees with special needs. PawsAbilities also offers assistance to those with disabilities in finding and securing employment within other businesses and fields. They rely heavily on volunteers and donations to accomplish these goals. For more information on how you can help, check out the website, PawsKC.org.
