Five Small Businesses that Bring Joy to Western Kansas Residents

The team at WKREDA would like to take the time to spotlight some small businesses that are making people smile in Western Kansas. Small businesses continue to help grow the local economies throughout our region. We encourage all Western Kansas residents to shop local!

The WKREDA team can not thank our region’s small businesses enough. The constant benefits that they bring to the local economies are impressive, to say the least. 

Award-Winning Small Businesses in Western Kansas

As of 2021, 99.1 percent of all businesses in the state of Kansas were small businesses. Many of these have been recognized with various awards and accolades over the years. Check out five Western Kansas award-winning small businesses below.

1. Last year, Laura Martin of Sew Loved Quilt Shop won the Regional Welcome Back to Kansas - Southwest Award in the 2022 To The Stars: Kansas Businesses Awards held by the Kansas Department of Commerce. The annual awards program was designed to honor Kansas businesses and the favorable impact they have on local economies throughout the state.

Sew Loved Quilt Shop is a fabric store in Elkhart. The store sells fabric plus sewing supplies and accessories. Martin also offers classes for adults and kids at various experience levels. The upcoming Beginning Quilting class will take place on September 21st and October 5th from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

2. Shiloh Vineyard & Winery in WaKeeney was another award recipient in the 2022 To The Stars: Kansas Businesses Awards. The family-owned company   was honored with the program’s Regional Agribusiness Award. Best Things Kansas listed the winery as one of The 8 Best Wineries in Kansas!

3. Bling Glamour is another notable small business that is thriving in Western Kansas. The store sells women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories online and in stores. The company was launched in 2008 with only $500. Over time, it has expanded with locations in Western Kansas, including Scott City, Garden City, Hays, and Great Bend.

In 2012, Bling was the Kansas Women-Owned Business of the Year. Keep an eye out for Bling’s upcoming sales and events.

4. White’s Foodliner is a grocery store in Kingman offering meat, dairy, fresh produce, deli foods, and home goods. Other store locations in Western Kansas include Scott City, Phillipsburg, Medicine Lodge, and St. John.

In 2020, White’s Foodliner received the Kingman Kudos Award. Selected by Mayor Hacker, White’s Foodliner received this honor for helping their community in a time of need. The company made food and supplies available to Kingman residents during the pandemic. 

5. Last but not least, Curtis Machine Company is a certified woman-owned small business in Dodge City that designs and manufactures gears and gearboxes. In 2017, Curtis Machine won the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association New Product Award of the Year. The product being recognized for inventiveness and new product development was their Model 214 stainless steel 1:1 spiral bevel gearbox.

Help boost the local economies and support local businesses throughout Western Kansas by shopping small when you can. What are some Western Kansas small businesses that you would like to recognize?