Instead of enjoying retirement, Wichita couple are opening a new niche business

Jeannie and Mike Gehrer aren’t especially good at retirement, but that’s nice news for Wichita-area students interested in varsity jackets or others who might want customized jackets.

The two are starting Varsity Jackets ICT.

They used to have Gear For You, which Jeannie Gehrer started in their basement in 1997. She made letter jackets, school spirit wear and did embroidery and screen printing.

After a couple of years, the couple opened a storefront and had a few different ones before settling at 11050 E. Central. Their son, Rob, took over the store in 2019.

“I’ve still been doing the leather jackets for our son,” Jeannie Gehrer said.

However, he’s decided to streamline the business and stop selling the jackets, which is why the Gehrers decided to start their business.

Last year, Mike Gehrer retired from Wichita Collegiate School after coaching football and baseball since 1990 in addition to serving as the one-time athletic director.

His role in the new business will be to call on schools to help them help students.

Gear For You has been one of the largest school jacket suppliers in the area.

“It’s kind of one of those niche markets,” Mike Gehrer said. “We want to help them continue to show their school spirit.”

The Gehrers will sell online and take appointments at their home at times that are convenient for students and their parents.

“Those kids are always so busy,” Mike Gehrer said.

In addition to varsity leather jackets, Jeannie Gehrer said schools award letters for academics, band and plays, among other activities, “which I think is great.”

The Gehrers also will help former students who never received a letter jacket or people who are celebrating retirement or awards at their companies.

“Many companies have used them,” Mike Gehrer said.

Truthfully, he never planned much of a retired life. Gehrer turned a barn into a training center, and he has batting cages to continue offering instruction.

He said his wife has “always piddled with” sewing, which she started at age 3.

Jeannie Gehrer said it makes sense to keep doing it.

“You know, when you retire, you can’t just sit on the porch. You have to have something to do.”