Popular Wichita boutique that caters to special sizes to either sell or close

When Pia Schwamman opened her Fit For A Queen shop in 2013, she said her plan was to help women who wear plus sizes because there are few stores that cater to those sizes.

She said it turns out she made a good call because the store has thrived. Schwamman said women were ecstatic to find her shop.

“Oh, my gosh, maybe there really is a need for that,” she said she realized.

Now, she’s hoping someone else will see that need and want to continue the business.

Schwamman said she wants to sell the store, or she’ll have to close it, probably by late August.

She said her husband already has retired from a career in aviation “and has been patiently waiting for me . . . to join him.”

The store, which started near Harry and Meridian, now is at 207 N. Hillside.

“It’s been a pretty good area,” Schwamman said.

She said there are a lot of shoppers from out of town who come to the store when they visit Wichita for medical appointments at and around the nearby Wesley Medical Center.

“I’ve been surprised,” she said.

It was Schwamman’s accountant who suggested she try selling the store instead of simply closing it.

“Because if you quit, who’s going to do what you are doing?” the accountant said.

Though she carries sizes 14W and larger, Schwamman said there are even fewer Wichita options for people who wear size 24 and larger, which she carries.

“I’m hoping somebody. . . would be interested.”

The store will start a 35% off sale this week. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

“We have a ton of inventory,” Schwamman said.

She said that includes items that some people have donated since the area DAV stores closed.

“We are so, so grateful,” Schwamman said. “It has been a blessing.”