Mochi Kids
Address: 932 East 900 South, Suite A
Telephone: 385-501-9293
Website: mochikids.com
District: 9th and 9th
“I wanted Mochi Kids to be more than just a store. It’s a way to connect with families, to celebrate culture, and to give back to the community that supports us,” shares Amanda Stewart, the founder of Mochi Kids.
Amanda grew up primarily in Utah following her family’s move from Las Vegas when she was twelve. After college and some time in California, she returned to Utah. Amanda channeled her creative passions into Mochi Kids, which started as a simple venture designing and screen-printing t-shirts for her children. Her eldest son, who has autism, inspired her to create shirts with unique themes, such as volcanoes and space. This catered to his specific interests in a way that mainstream designs did not. “I wanted him to have shirts that felt authentic and that he’d be excited to wear,” she explains. From that early inspiration, Mochi Kids grew into a business, supported by friends, family, and eventually a larger online following.
Mochi Kids, which officially launched in 2015, initially focused on Amanda’s handmade graphic tees but has since evolved into a unique brand of children’s clothing, toys, and gifts that highlight eco-friendly, design-forward products. The name “Mochi Kids” was suggested by a friend and resonated with Amanda as a fitting representation of her brand. Mochi, the Japanese rice cake that is soft and squishy, reminded Amanda of her “mochi-like” babies, with their chubby, squeezable cheeks and tender skin.
Since its early days on Etsy, Mochi Kids has maintained a strong online presence. Amanda eventually opened a brick-and-mortar store in November 2021. Located in the vibrant 9th and 9th district of Salt Lake City, the store is a curated space filled with merchandise from independent brands with a focus on women-owned and eco-conscious businesses. The shop’s aesthetic is playful and accessible; kids are encouraged to interact with the toys on display, creating an environment where both parents and children feel at ease. “We want the store to be a comfortable space for families. We know how hard it can be to even get out the door with kids, so we’re patient and understanding with our customers,” Amanda says.
A core value of Mochi Kids is supporting sustainable and ethical products. Many of the toys in the store are made from innovative materials, such as sugarcane-based plastics and biodegradable rubber. “We look for toys that are both beautiful and functional, but also those that don’t harm the planet.” The store’s product line includes unique items such as rubber dolls that are fully biodegradable and toys made from sawdust, a byproduct of wood manufacturing.
The brand’s identity is also rooted in cultural representation, especially for Asian American and mixed-race families. Many of the clothing designs Amanda created in 2020 and beyond feature motifs inspired by Asian American culture, connecting children with elements of heritage that often go unrepresented in mainstream stores. “I feel that 2020 marked a turning point for many people of mixed heritage in reclaiming their roots,” Amanda says. She hopes Mochi Kids can serve as a resource for other families wanting to celebrate diverse backgrounds and introduce their children to cultural concepts in a relatable way.
Community involvement is central to Amanda’s mission. Through Mochi Kids, she has created initiatives like the 9th and 9th Giving Tree. This community-driven effort provides holiday gifts for children at Edison Elementary, a school on the west side of Salt Lake City. When the official Angel Tree program could only support a fraction of the children, Amanda took it upon herself to rally the community. “I reached out to other stores in the neighborhood, set up trees, and created ornaments with each child’s holiday wish." The response was overwhelming, with over 200 ornaments claimed by customers eager to help. Amanda plans to expand the Giving Tree initiative, making it a beloved neighborhood tradition.
Mochi Kids also supports environmental and social causes through its online store. Amanda frequently designs graphic tees for fundraisers, donating a portion of the proceeds to organizations like Friends of the Great Salt Lake and The Children’s Center Utah, which provides mental health resources for children and families. “I always told myself that if I ever had the chance, I would give back,” Amanda says, adding that even small actions can make a significant impact in the local community. By focusing on fundraisers and community initiatives, Mochi Kids has become a business driven by purpose as much as profit.
Despite her success, Amanda remains humble and emphasizes that Mochi Kids is a small, local business - a detail that often surprises visitors to her store. “Sometimes people think we’re part of a franchise because of our branding, but I’m very much local,” she laughs. To highlight this, she placed a sticker by the entrance that reads, “Local Women-Owned Business.”
Amanda’s journey is a testament to the power of small, values-based businesses to make a difference. “It’s all about making a small, positive change in our own corner of the world. If I can improve even a tiny piece of the world around me, that’s what matters most.”
