Overland Park, KS — A fresh retail concept arrived at the Glenwood Antique Mall this month, offering locals a blend of classic home décor and unusual curiosities. Spotdities, described by its owners as a “curiosity emporium,” opened its doors at the corner of 91st Street and Metcalf Avenue in early September.
Owners’ Vision
“You might walk in with someone who has nothing in common with you, but you could both fall in love with the same piece,” said Amanda Coney, the shop’s manager. “We want people to enter curious and leave obsessed.” Co‑owner Kara Gutierrez added that the store is meant to be a space where shoppers see themselves reflected in the items on display.
What’s Inside
The front of Spotdities showcases more traditional décor: crystal vases, lamps, glass bowls, and a selection of clothing and accessories. Moving toward the back, the atmosphere shifts to the “spooky” side, featuring what Gutierrez calls “clutch‑your‑pearls” items—clown statues, taxidermied squirrels and mice in acrobatic poses, pythons and bearded dragons preserved in jars, and vintage medical bags.
Many of the oddities are handcrafted by Gutierrez herself, including the taxidermy pieces and decorative glass globes. Coney curates the shop’s “elegant” offerings, while Gutierrez focuses on the more eclectic selections.
Local Roots and Community Focus
Gutierrez first became fascinated with oddities and curiosities in 2024, initially as a collector before transitioning to a seller at regional antique shows. Prior to that, she spent more than a decade as a tattoo artist, building a niche serving clients who have experienced trauma—breast‑cancer survivors (Gutierrez is a survivor herself) and individuals seeking gender‑affirming or scar‑covering tattoos.
Both owners emphasize that Spotdities is more than a retail space; it is intended to be a community hub where visitors can experience a range of emotions. “We’ll always have something new—stuff to make you laugh, make you feel something,” Gutierrez said. “You’re going to have emotions when you come in here.”
Affordability and Variety
According to Coney, the shop strives to accommodate “all personalities and all budgets.” “There is truly something for everybody, in any aspect you can interpret that,” she noted. The mix of handmade pieces, estate‑sale finds, and curated antiques aims to appeal to both casual shoppers and dedicated collectors.
Looking Ahead
With the first few weeks of business already underway, the owners anticipate increased foot traffic as “spooky season” approaches. They plan to rotate inventory regularly, ensuring that repeat visitors will always encounter something new.
Spotdities joins a growing roster of small businesses revitalizing Overland Park’s retail landscape, offering residents an alternative to chain stores and a chance to support locally‑owned entrepreneurship.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
