Who,
PHOTO CREDIT: JAMI BOWMAN
WHAT, WHERE
Meet Gretchen McGraw
Who: Gretchen Graber McGraw
is owner of FitWear Boutique. As a child she always had a love for fashion and clothes. She also started running in middle school to help with anxiety and mental health. Growing up she was given the opportunity and love to travel by her parents. She went on her first trip to Mexico in middle school and fell in love with the colors and vibrancy of a completely different culture.
What:
After getting her degree in dental hygiene at Wichita State, McGraw used it to further her cultural experience. She visited Russia, and between exploring St. Basil’s and the GUM in Moscow (which is the main department store and largest shopping mall in Moscow) she did her dental work at orphanages. Along her path back to KC, McGraw lived in New York and Detroit. Both of those stops added another layer to her fashion and cultural experience. In 2012, living in Overland Park, McGraw asked her girlfriend if she could open a
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shop in her girlfriend’s Pilates studio, merging two of her favorite things—her love for clothes and for working out. “That was the beginning of FitWear Boutique. My whole idea was to bring in clothes that allow working out to fit into your lifestyle, not interrupt it. I love smaller made-in-USA brands, womenowned businesses, lines that give back to their community—and being comfy and cute is super important too!” McGraw said. “I travel for inspiration and to bring back things that are different than big box stores,” she added. This year she has the opportunity to celebrate eight years of being open by opening her first brick-and-mortar in Prairiefire. “It was definitely a ‘pinch me’ moment to look around at all the people who have come into my life since starting in the studio,” said McGraw. ”I truly am blessed to get to do my two favorite things every day—work out and go out to run the store!”
Where: FAVORITE PLACES TO
DINE AND DRINK I’m a KC girl so I love the local spots: Brass Onion for brunch (their beignets are amazing), Nick and Jake’s patio and happy hour, Veritas, Sunset Grill post-tennis, YaYas for date night. If you want to get out of the bubble, Farina, Rockhill Grill, Novel, Le Fou Frog, CaVa, and Port Fonda. FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP I love to shop boutiques when I travel. But besides my store, my go-to in KC is Clairvaux and Halls! FAVORITE HIDDEN GEMS IN KC I love Verdigris! Great bartenders and hand-crafted drinks. Nighthawk downtown is also on my list. FAVORITE PLACE TO TAKE OUTOF-TOWN GUESTS Chiefs games are always a good time, and I love to tailgate. Reiger Distillery and Electric Park are fun for out-oftown guests. I also love live music, so Green Lady is a good choice! WHY KANSAS CITY? I’ve lived here the longest, and every time I go on a trip or adventure I’m always ready to come back home!
