Moon Marble Company

What started out as a custom woodwork shop 30 years ago, Moon Marble Company became a place for children and adults alike to reminisce and enjoy the marvels of marbles and marble making. Moon Marble, located in Bonner Springs, offers a variety of marble products, wooden toys and board games for people of all ages. Moon Marble Company began in December of 1997 when owner Bruce Breslow realized marbles were not available in stores anymore.

“I needed marbles for one of my projects, and while I was out looking for some, I found out that kids don’t play with marbles anymore,” Breslow said.

Breslow decided to learn how to make marbles and devoted his time to becoming a marble artisan.

“I thought about my own childhood,” Breslow said. “I started thinking about making marbles then.”

Aside from marble making, Breslow also has a large portion of his store dedicated to building shields and swords for the Bonner Springs Renaissance Fair.

“I’m busy all the time, and I like to stay busy,” Breslow said.

Board games and other toys are also available at Moon Marble Company.

“I think it’s good to mix it up and change it up. Sure you can play with your electronics, but I think we’re getting too connected to the electronics,” Breslow said. “It hasn’t always been that way.”

The store also often offers marble making and history demonstrations. During the demonstrations, Breslow explains the process of glass work and marble history.

“I don’t really think about business too much,” Breslow said. “I think about people’s joy they get here. They remember stuff they used to do as children.”

Junque Drawer and Studio

Tucked away in a beautiful location in Olathe right off K-10, Junque Drawer Boutique & Studio offers a variety of knick knacks for people of all ages.

Owner Jane Stern opened Junque Drawer in 2011 with the idea in mind of having a creative workspace as well as a boutique for all of her creations and designs.

“I’ve always made a lot of art and done crafts,” Stern said. “It makes me happy.”

The boutique is filled with jewelry, clothes and crafty home decorations. Stern designs many of her own original pieces. She also has different classes that teach people how to make interesting crafts and designs.

“It’s so great to meet all the people that come in the boutique and come for the classes,” Stern said. “It’s gotta be the people that make me love this job.”

B|E Boutique

Located behind Little Monkey Bizness and Yogurtime on Shawnee Mission Parkway, B|E Boutique has dresses for every occasion. As an extension store of Bridal Extrordinaire, B|E Boutique offers homecoming, prom, and other special occasion dresses at a variety of prices.

“We have a little bit of everything,” manager Fee Landu said. “We understand that some girls can’t afford the expensive dresses, so we have less expensive dresses as well.”

Senior Morgan Battes found her homecoming dress at the boutique. A register is kept of all the dresses sold, so dresses won’t be sold to multiple people at the same school.

“I really liked that no one had a dress like mine,” Battes said. “It’s great that they keep a registration of all of them.”