Businesses both big and small helping little Merriam grow

Thanks to a blend of big-name stores and unique mom-and-pop shops, Merriam is expanding, and city officials hope it continues to do just that.

The city of Merriam stretches 4.3 square miles. Located along Interstate 35, it’s known for its location within northeast Johnson County and its prominent stores.

One of the biggest draws: IKEA.

"We have a lot of unique, cool shopping things to begin with, but IKEA definitely brought in a new crowd of people to our community," said Karen Crane with the Merriam Visitors Bureau.

With a growing arts scene, a shiny new community center in the works and the expansion of local shops, there’s a lot happening in Merriam.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)