A longtime popular Wichita women’s boutique is closing due to the coronavirus

As she prepares to turn 80 this fall, Gay Muenchrath also is preparing to close her 35-year-old GM Clotheshorse women’s boutique even though it’s not really what she wants to do.

She said she had planned to continue the store for two or three more years until, she joked, either her head or her feet gave out.

“Heads or tails, whichever one breaks first.”

The coronavirus changed that. Muenchrath said she hates to blame closing on the virus, “but it kind of is the reason.”

“I can’t really find what I need right now,” she said.

In addition to shipping issues, Muenchrath said, “The markets that I go to are closed.”

She said she doesn’t like making purchasing decisions online.

“I don’t buy clothes that I haven’t touched.”

She said there’s no way to figure out how clothes may fit or to determine anything else about them.

The issues are keeping her from selling the store, too.

“I would love to sell the store, but . . . it didn’t seem feasible right now.”

Muenchrath opened the store in 1985 by buying LaVeta Coleman’s LaVeta’s shop behind Dandurand Drugstore in Piccadilly Square at Central and Rock. She eventually moved across the street to the Mill Creek Village center before moving to the Waterfront 15 years ago.

The store sells women’s clothing and accessories.

Muenchrath said she liked “to play dress-up since I was a little bitty girl.”

First, though, she raised four children.

When her youngest started college, she opened store.

“Wichita, Kansas, has been good to me and for me,” Muenchrath said.

She said she “found that there is something for everybody, it’s just not the same something.”

“I never tire of it . . . and I’m not tired yet.”

Muenchrath said the store has grown so much through the years with so many different kinds of customers.

“Those are all my friends.”

The store’s last day likely will be later this month. All fixtures, clothing and accessories are half price.

“It’s a little melancholy,” Muenchrath said.

She said she’s looking forward to spending some time at home with her husband, who has always supported the store, she said.

Still, with the decision somewhat forced upon her, “It’s just kind of bittersweet.”

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 11:19 AM.