On Monday morning I called longtime Iola merchant Jan Knewtson to ask if I could do a story about her decision to retire.
“Well, not today,” she said. “I can’t seem to stop crying.”
On Tuesday, she wasn’t much better.
It’s one thing to say you’re going to close up shop. It’s another to actually do it.
For 34 years Knewtson has sold women’s apparel at various locations along the south side of the square. The last 20 have been at the corner of Jefferson and Madison, with her flagship store Sophisticated Rose, and her smaller venues of Tuxedo Junction and Sophisticated Rose Plus.
She began with a bridal store, expanding to women’s wear, children’s clothing and toys, plus sizes for women and most recently, tuxedos for men along with wedding accessories.
“Iola’s been very good to me,” she said, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.
And she’s not referring to just her success as a merchant.
“I’ve made a lot of friends through my business.”
Jan and I sat in cushiony easy chairs positioned at the back of the store as she recalled her journey.
As with any business — or individual — there’s a lot of layers to peel back.
Before she went into retail, Jan’s only experience with apparel was as a youth modeling her homemade skirts and dresses at the 4-H style review at the Labette County Fair.
Looking back, she couldn’t remember that it checked any boxes as to how she envisioned her future.
As an only child, she grew up on a dairy farm and did her share of chores. Because she was musically gifted, she had her sights on making it her profession.
She attended Pittsburg State to study music, but never graduated.
