5 questions with Iven Kelley

Iven Kelley opened his first store, Sunshines Pocket, in 1978 and has had several other Wichita stores through the years.

After one hiatus from his stores, Kelley decided to reopen a new store under the name Twigs due to what he says was customer demand.

"Ladies... would accost me with their shopping carts and ask me, 'When are you going to open a store?'

"They would chase me at the Gucci Dillons, as everybody calls it, at Central and Rock Road."

Twigs has been located at three sites, the second of which — 2601 E. Douglas — was destroyed by arson in 2005.

No arrest has been made.

Now, Kelley and partner Jim Dobson are closing the latest Twigs near Central and Woodlawn and are moving to Mexico to retire.

The store's last day in business is May 7.

Why close the store now?

"The business just hasn't been there. We... haven't even actually met sales from the other stores.

"And the economy hasn't been the best, (though) it kind of has picked up.

"A health scare two years ago just kind of slapped me in the face, and I decided life was too short."

You say you were uninsured and the Twigs fire cost you half a million dollars, yet many people accused you of setting the fire yourself. Do you feel like when there's a conviction in the case you'll be exonerated?

"Oh, no. I already am. I was actually exonerated years ago but no one has publicly come out and said that. I haven't been a suspect for a very long time."

Friends in Mexico already are asking you to open a store there. Will you?

"You know, I don't know. Right now, no.

"Jim and I are going to get ourselves into... kind of a new routine.

"I've worked in this business for 32 years, and I've worked six days (a week) for a long, long time, and I just need a break."

What will you miss most about Wichita?

"The people. I love the people. Being in the business for as long as I've been, a lot of my customers are very dear friends.

"I will miss bringing absolutely incredible things to this store.

"I can say I won't miss the weather at all."

What's one thing no one knows about you?

"That I am a reality show junkie.

"I can tell you what's going on on 'American Idol' right now.... 'Dancing With the Stars.'... 'Survivor.'

"I'm an addict to the reality shows.

I even watched one on MTV the other night ... which I thought, oh my god, I'm out of control."

This story was originally published April 28, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "5 questions with Iven Kelley."