Celebrating Some of the Women Business Owners

at The Shops of Prairie Village

SCOOBIE Owner, Sarah Jabbour
Sarah started her business as a side hustle in co-opts across KC and popped up all over! Her biz grew each year, and after 7 years she was able to open up their own shop as well as an online store. When we felt it was time to open our first, solo shop-we knew exactly where we wanted to be...in the Shops of Prairie Village! Their best selling items? Dresses, fun tops and local jewelry!

"I love the ability to be a business owner in a community that is so loyal and supportive as well as the flexibility the job gives me to be with and raise my 3 young children. We see and appreciate the continued loyalty and support of our community! We are beyond lucky to be amongst such local-minded and loyal customers and friends! Thank you!!"

Cafe Provence and French Market Owner, Joanne Quillec
Joanne and her husband Patrick opened Cafe Provence in September 2001 and French Market in November 2013. One of her favorite parts of operating the businesses is working with her husband, sons, daughters, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and nieces. Joanne is originally from Philadelphia and her husband is from France. They’ve worked in restaurants all over the United States: New England, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, California. She thinks the combination of their cultural backgrounds, as well as experiences in all these different places, allowed them to offer something unique here in the Midwest. 

“I’m also incredibly grateful for our amazing staff, including many who have been with us for years, and even decades. I also love our customers. This really is a special community, and I’m so very grateful for all the support we’ve been given over the many years. After 20 years here, it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else. We’re located in the center of a growing, vibrant city, surrounded by great family-filled neighborhoods and other locally owned small businesses.” 

The Little Gym Owner, Carolyn Huggins
The Little Gym opened in April of 2017 and Carolyn purchased the business in July 2022. Her fav part? The relationships she gets to have with The Little Gym families, the PV community, and other owners. 
Their best selling product? Their seriously FUN classes!

"The community, the shops, and the people coming into our business is hard to beat! It’s a loving and warm tight knit community."

Hollyday PV Injection Studio Founder & CEO, Holly Post
Their flagship location -- Hollyday Med Spa + Aesthetics located in the Brookside/Waldo area of KCMO offers cosmetic injectable procedures along with facials, waxing, microneedling, laser, and body sculpting treatments -- has been successfully running since 2004. They opened their doors at The Shops of Prairie Village in October 2022. The top sellers? Botox/Dysport, lip enhancements, facial fillers, biostimulators and PDO threads (non-surgical facelifts). 

"I am able to support a team of over 30 women do what they love every day, and watch them flourish in their careers while earning a really great living. We all genuinely love coming to work every day. If you haven't popped by to check out the space and schedule a consultation with one of our Nurse Injectors, then what are you waiting for?!"

Malfer & Associates | Compass Realty Group CEO/President, Kristin Malfer 

Kristin Malfer knew from a young age she wanted to help people. With a background in interior design, marketing and new home construction, she has been able to better serve her clients by providing insight into every transaction. Based in Kansas City, Kristin’s knowledge and experience gives a prestigious edge to her clientele.

In 2008 she founded Malfer & Associates team, which has become the #3 top producing real estate team in the Kansas City area with over 24 agents and 6 full-time staff members. Hand-picked by Kristin, the support delivers exceptional service every step of the way with operations, a dedicated marketing team, transaction coordinator, business development and agent support to ensure every seller and property is professionally represented.

Kristin prides herself in providing personal service and communication to every client since her business is largely referral based, which is a testament to her over the top client support. She has consecutively earned the “5 Star Award” for the customer experience. Listening to her clients’ needs and desires has helped her grow and build happy relationships over her 20 year career in real estate. Whether she is helping a client purchase their dream home or move on to the next chapter of life, Kristin is there to help grow and build relationships.

"As the real estate market continues to rebalance, it is more important than ever to use a professional who can list your home and has the connections to get it sold. Our market knowledge and personal relationships are the key to this success. In 2022, we matched 26 buyers and sellers on properties before the homes even hit the market, for total sales of $32M."

On the Ball Owner, Meagan Dowell
After 10 years in public accounting, I had this incredible desire to own something for myself and to truly make a difference. My passion for animals and especially dogs was something I wanted to incorporate into my dream. I decided to create a space where dogs with different needs can be loved equally by designing unique care plans that cater to their needs. From there, On the Ball was born. What is your favorite aspect about owning your business? There is an amazing feeling when you know you have impacted someone's life for the positive. Seeing dogs gain confidence and learn to socialize, being a resource and aid for our clients when their personal or family life turns upside down, watching their dogs grow old and loving them alongside their families....there is no better feeling than to have that connection with the dogs and clients and hope that you are making a small, positive impact on them and their lives.

"Navigating owning a small business, especially during COVID and now it's aftermath has been extremely difficult, not only on me but my staff and our clients. What keeps us motivated to do what we do is seeing these special pups day in and out, loving on them, and ensuring they have a wonderful experience while in our care. No one loves dogs more than everyone at On the Ball. We will continue to love and care for pups as long as the community will allow. We are so thankful for all who have chosen us to be that special place in their dog's lives!"

Dolce Bakery Founder/Owner, Erin Brown
After Erin Brown opened Dolce Bakery 15 years ago at The Shops of Prairie Village, she has served loyal customers day in and day out. They are best known for their Cinnamon rolls, layer cakes - especially chocolate - cookies, iced sugar cookies, and specialty coffees. They recently expanded the bakery and opened The Space by Dolce Bakery, a beautiful event space next door. It is the perfect, centrally located spot for showers, parties, meetings, workshops, pop up shops and more. Erin's fav part of owning a biz? The opportunity to bring joy to so many people through delicious scratch baked treats.
Creating opportunities for so many on my team to develop their skills and talents as we build this business together. 

"I have been baking since I was a little girl. The smile on people's faces when they take a bite of something we baked just for them lights me up!  We get to be a part of so many joyful memories and traditions. Lucky us!

Story. Co-Owner, Susan Thorne-Thomsen
Susan is the co-owner of Story restaurant. She and her husband, Chef Carl Thorne-Thomsen, will be celebrating Story’s 12th anniversary in the Prairie Village Shops this spring, as well as their 20th wedding anniversary. Susan previously owned a gourmet food shop where she hired her (future) husband Carl and he began his professional cooking career. Susan found the location for Story at the Prairie Village Shops as she frequented the shops often with their 3 children for ballet classes, Gymboree, shopping and dining. The couple decided it would be perfect for their fine dining restaurant. The location has proven to be a wonderful fit for their award-winning restaurant. 
Some of the most popular menu items are soft shell crabs, Alaskan halibut and braised beef short ribs.

Susan and the rest of the Story team look forward to welcoming you to dinner soon! 

Welwythn Owner, Gina Holmberg
Welwythn owner Gina has operated her store at The Shops of Prairie Village for six years and in the Crossroads for two years before that.

”I just adore how the Village keeps it unique and as locally owned as possible-these days I find that to be rare, and refreshing! I love that you can spend an entire day here! Have a little breakfast at the French Market, schedule a service at Bijin, meet a friend for lunch at Caffeteria and some great shopping. Enjoy happy hour or dinner at Story, Cafe Provence, Tavern. We just have so many great neighbors and friends here in the Village!”

Caffetteria Owner, Jo Marie Scaglia
Caffetteria just celebrated its fifth year anniversary! Jo started her career in Kansas City with the catering company that led into The Mixx which opened 17 years ago. She thought The Shops of Prairie Village was the perfect location for Caffetteria because it’s centrally located and has an amazing community. The kitchen offers so many different things, and the bowls and plates are some of the most popular items. Also, the pizza and salads are pretty popular as well. The marketplace with grab and go meals and heat and serve meals has been a huge success. The meaning of the word Caffetteria is literally a meeting and gathering place over food or beverage with friends and family to create memories. I think this defines the shops and Caffetteria as a community.

“The community support over the last five years has been incredible. I love that it serves so many different kinds of people. We have professionals, families, and children. Also, people rooted in PV that have lived there a long time seem to gravitate to Caffetteria. We are so grateful for the community and PV support.”

More on Jo: www.caffetteriamoderncafe.com/philosophy

DryBar Owner, Hannah Ellisen
Hannah is the owner of DryBar, opening at The Shops of Prairie Village in May 2023! She loved finding at home for her business at The Shops of Prairie Village because she’ll be surrounded by a wide variety of shops and restaurants that are also locally owned and operated by other amazing women.

“I am so grateful to be in The Shops of Prairie Village not only for the awesome co-tenants, but also the wonderful and supportive community that surrounds us.”

bijin salon & spa owner and CEO, Connie Suss

GoodVets Prairie Village Owner and Medical Director, Julie Bradford

Bag & Baggage Operator, Erin Leonard

RSVP in the Village Owner, Becci Meissner

CHILL In the Village Owner, Karie Nelson

Welwythn Owner, Gina Holmberg