628 Main Street Osawatomie, KS 66064 913-755-4114
Coachlight
Joyce Schrader has been the owner/operator of the store for 34 years, but says she's been in the business for over 60. She shared memories of her traveling the country with her father when she was a young girl. Originally, he had owned a grocery store but later became a traveling salesmen for women's lingerie. She would accompany him in his pink or purple Cadillac as he attended shows and visited all of the shops on his route. She wonders now if they ever came through Osawatomie!
She made a special point to thank her employees and husband Gordon for all the help and support they have provided over the years. We all know that they have exceptional customer service and happily go the extra mile for any of their customers. That friend of the family type of treatment is what keeps so many of her customers coming back time and time again. She has many people that travel from out of the area, from places like Overbrook and Kansas City.
There has been a successful women's clothing store on our Main Street for over 60 years. It has changed name, location, and ownership from time to time, but has proven to withstand the test of time. Joyce credits Web Hawkins with naming the store shortly after the Schraders agreed to purchase it. At that time, there were brick pillars along Main Street with coach lights attached, and that was where the name originated.
I personally appreciate and admire all of their patience at prom time, helping all those young men pick out the perfect tux. That must be trying at times, but they make it look easy. One of my fondest memories is the time Joyce opened up after hours to lend me a tuxedo tie from her mannequin in the window. My 16 year old son had managed to break his while trying to figure out how to put it on! She saved the day, or night, in that case and we were so thankful.
Joyce wants to make it clear that she is NOT retiring. Her friends wanted to honor her for her years of service and help her celebrate a milestone birthday that happened July 27th. We as the Chamber, were happy to be a part of it and wish Joyce much ongoing success in the future.
Thank you to the over 125 people that were in attendance to help us honor her. That must hold the record for the largest Chamber Coffee, ever!
