Katelyn Klos and Grace Kennedy are turning their
hobby of hat burning into a brick-and-mortar business.
“My business partner and I are both science majors;
she’s a biologist and I’m a biochemist,” said Klos. She explained that the
business got its start when Kennedy “made herself a custom denim jacket, and
then other people started asking for one.”
The ladies launched Wildflowers and Barley in October
2023 and initially partnered with small businesses around central Illinois.
“We do hat burning events where people burn designs
into hats,” said Klos. Customers can choose a baseball hat, fedora or cowboy
hat and then add their own design for a custom creation.
Wildflowers and Barley is preparing to open a retail space at 924 Clocktower Dr., Suite E, later this month. Customers will now have the option to purchase pre-made merchandise or host a private event in the studio. However, Klos said there will still be events at off-site locations as well. “We’re already booked through December with other small businesses in the area,” she said.
A grand opening and vendor fair is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 12.
After that, regular hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-1
p.m. Saturday. The business is closed Wednesday and Sunday.
“We have a lot of cool wall décor and all kinds of
stuff,” said Klos. “I hope this will give more people an opportunity to check
us out.”
