Anyone who looks at my reviews know that a 5 is rare! This exceeded any expectation I had and I was…read moresmiling so Much my cheeks hurt. What an Immersive experience! Books were SO much a part of our parenting I was transported to such deep memories. The attention to detail! The places to sit and read incorporated throughout! We went to an Adults only event just to check It out and we have already bought tickets to take our adult kids next month!!!

This museum is exceptional! I felt like a kid again seeing my favorite storybooks come to life!…read moreEvery single nook and cranny of this space was well thought out and artistically crafted. It was nice to have places for the kids to climb and explore. And there were also spaces to rest and be quiet. I like that each book was unique on display so it wasn't the same old thing over and over again. What I really loved was that they have multiple copies of each book represented in said section. So the ones we hadn't read and were interested in, we were able to discover like The Funny Thing and The Fire Cat. And ones we were aware if were fun to read while exploring like Goodnight Moon (my absolute favorite part), Babar, Frog and Toad, and No, David! The bus ride is a must; so creative and heart warming. We didn't purchase tickets for The Three Robbers experience, but peeking inside I wish we had, it looks great. The docents and volunteers were all knowledgeable of the books. And they were very kind when needing to remind kids of the museum rules. If I lived here I would by an annual membership for sure. And would have gladly paid more than the current $16 admission as I think this experience is worth much more.

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.

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.

Truth be iterated...I was hesitant walking in to this place. We pulled up to rockstar parking in…read morefront of the store (more on that in a moment), and I couldn't help but question whether the forthcoming experience was worth it. The idea of domestically-manufactured items or, in this case, even made in Kansas City is intriguing. The store is nicely done. Sure there are tacky tchotchkes, but there is something for everyone. Anyway, I got a coffee. It was very good and the barista was friendly. My disappointment is rooted in the store's name and that some things are not only not made in KC, but are not made in America. It feels like a two-star outcome when the store name is held up to reality, but I'll hesitantly add the third with hope they redouble efforts to stock more items of domestic origin. Anyway, back to the parking situation - if you get wonderful parking beware there are some lookie-loos. I don't want to brand anyone suspicious, but even on a weekend morning there was a sense of character presence if you catch my drift.

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!

Selection, low cost, many useful items, recycling. Different inventory every time. Friendly…read morestaff.

This is a great space! I had never heard of them before, but they are a great find on behalf of…read moreYelp! I took lots of photos to convey exactly what this place is like. There are craft spaces, a plant shop, a vintage decor shop, candles/incense, clothing, KC-specific gear, and just all-around fun gifts. The staff was helpful but not "in-your-face" which is very appreciated in a store like this. We will be going back in Jan to check out some of their crafting offerings and have already begun planning with our bigger group of friends for that kind of get-together to stave off the Jan/Winter Blues. The candles are phenomenal and I now have too many... and realize I should have gotten some of the melts instead. :D

Such a cute spot! If you're looking for plants, books, clothes, or a place to craft, this is your…read morespot! Service was great in the café area, and the prices were reasonable.