The brainchild of Lauren Watson and Hannah Lee, two local female entrepreneurs, Kinshop aims to introduce the community to local makers, small businesses and nonprofits like Carroll’s Kitchen.

“Carroll’s Kitchen is making real change in the community by supporting women out of crisis through healthy employment,” said Watson, who owns Lion House.  “We are so happy to be working with them to help make this possible.”

Kinshop will showcase area artists, live music, handcrafted cocktails, the tastiest food in town, in a beautifully designed space for all to enjoy. This family- and fido-friendly event will take place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Junction West, 310 S. West St., Suite 110, in downtown Raleigh’s bustling Warehouse District.

Boasting 20 highly curated vendors, Kinshop has worked to add unique vendors of different varieties and aesthetics to ensure the best opportunity for each vendor and shopper alike. Vendors include jewelry by Peppertrain and Bird + Beau, clothes by Hold You Me and Simple Little Apparel, home decor by Palm & Pine and Allison Smith Textiles, and many more.

The inaugural Kinshop event won’t just provide a Mother’s Day or graduation gift shopping opportunity, it will also give back to a local cause.

In their early discussions of which nonprofit to support, Watson and Lee, owner of Foxwood Studio, had specific goals in mind.

“We find there is a whole lot of pride in a community that supports a neighbor in need. As Kinshop strives to bring people together, promote local businesses and makers, and support organizations that serve our community, being local was a must,” Watson said.

They also wanted to help promote a lesser-known nonprofit.

“We really wanted to feature a nonprofit in their growing stage,” she said. “It’s all about bringing awareness to organizations that are growing and making waves, big or small.”

Carroll’s Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant group providing employment and job training for women leaving crisis, was also near to the founders’ hearts and aligned with their core values.

The downtown Raleigh restaurant opened in 2016, offering contemporary Southern grab and go food. It recently expanded to a second restaurant and now offers catering as well. The nonprofit employs and trains women who are recovering from traumas like homelessness, incarceration, addiction and domestic violence.

Tickets to Kinshop can be purchased at the door for $5.