Modern Man Supply Opens in River Market
Published June 19th, 2020 at 12:15 PM
By Kevin Collison
When you’re opening a mostly-men’s clothing and accessories store featuring comfortable casual look, it helps to exclusively offer a clothing line by Chiefs star Travis Kelce, the embodiment of macho cool.
Kelce’s “True Colors” line along with shirts by Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi are part of the inventory being offered at the new MMSC (Modern Man Suppy Co.) that Josh Wilson recently opened at 114 W. Fifth St.
“There are amazing men’s stores out there but they’re more white collar,” Wilson said. “We’re more for the everyday guy, white collar meets blue collar casual.
Wilson opened his first MMSC in Westport which lasted a year before closing Memorial Day 2019. After pondering rebranding, he decided to move forward with a new store in the River Market after the Covid-19 health restrictions began lifting.
Rather than exclusively for men, the new incarnation of MMSC does offer a nod toward women, but it’s still mostly male. It features not only clothing, but personal care grooming supplies and other stuff for the home like candles.
“The big thing for us is 90 percent of our clothing is made in Kansas City,” he said. “We’re trying to incorporate local whenever we can, but only individual companies.”
It’s also a place where men who might not know much about personal grooming products can come in and feel comfortable shopping.
“We do a lot of products, especially men’s grooming, for clientele who wouldn’t ordinarily feel comfortable about,” he said. “We try to be very open to everyone.”
Wilson grew up in Australia along the Gold Coast area south of Brisbane. He came to visit his father in Kansas City in 2003 planning on a vacation, but never left.
A networker by nature, through social media and other connections he got to know Kelce and other Chiefs players. Earlier this year, he sold “For the Kingdom” T-shirts online to help raise money for Covid relief.
For every T-shirt sold, people could enter for a drawing of Chiefs memorabilia signed by 10 different players. It raised $2,000 for the Kansas City Hospitality Support Initiative and also funded a donation of 500 masks to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
“We’re huge about giving back to the community, he said.
The new Modern Man Supply Co. shop is next door to River Market stalwart All Nations Flag Co.
MMSC is open limited hours now, Friday, 4-8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A grand opening is scheduled for July 10. Another Chiefs star, defensive tackle Chris Jones, will be on hand for signings.
Wilson said nearby River Market area, close to the historic Delaware stretch, is a welcoming place for a new shop like his. He’s already friends with owners of neighbors Il Lazzarone pizza and HELM salon.
“I like the fact that in this area, there’s a lot of up and coming businesses by a younger generation of business owners,” he said.
“We’ve already had discussions about working together.”
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