K Michael's Collection owner wants guests to feel loved when stepping into Topeka boutique

Keishera Lately, Topeka Capital-Journal
·4 min read

Patrice Newton wants new customers to feel love and royalty when they walk in her new boutique K Michael's Collection at West Ridge Mall.

K Michael's Collection opened on the second floor of the mall on May 1.

Newton said she wants women from all backgrounds to feel comfortable in her new boutique.

"I want every woman to come in here and feel loved, even from the outside of the door, loved. Accepted. Know that they walked into a place that's elegant, know they walked into a place where they're going to be taken care of," Newton said. "They're going to be treated special."

Laticia Hernandez-Garcia, from left, Allison Villagrana and Yamileth Mendoza look at a selection of scarfs last week at the new K Michael's Collection at West Ridge Mall.
Laticia Hernandez-Garcia, from left, Allison Villagrana and Yamileth Mendoza look at a selection of scarfs last week at the new K Michael's Collection at West Ridge Mall.

Fashion 'makes a difference'

Originally from St. Louis, Newton moved to Topeka in 2014. In the 10 years of residing in the capital city, fashion has been a true passion for her.

"I moved here for a job, but I had no family, no friends, no anything," Newton said. "And then that job, they said, 'Oh, we can't afford you anymore.' And I was just let go. And I had some down days in between there, and I got up one day and said, 'Patrice get dressed,' and I got dressed and I'm like, 'Oh girl, you look cute.'"

Uniquely cut dresses of all sizes are available at K Michael's Collection as owner Patrice Newton hangs one from a mannequin.
Uniquely cut dresses of all sizes are available at K Michael's Collection as owner Patrice Newton hangs one from a mannequin.

More: Here's what the outside of Topeka's West Ridge Mall could look like after renovations

That's when she knew it was time to fulfill a higher role in her fashion interest. Newton began to sell clothing online, but that didn't last long. After a couple months, she realized she liked in-person interactions better.

"There is no connection, no people, no anything, just people buying pieces of items," Newton said. "Then a friend of mine actually said, 'Remember when you had that K Michaels online?' And I said: 'You know what I do? I'm going to open that up in a brick-and-mortar place.'"

Patrice Newton, owner of K Michael's Collection, stands behind the register at her new boutique she opened in early May at West Ridge Mall.
Patrice Newton, owner of K Michael's Collection, stands behind the register at her new boutique she opened in early May at West Ridge Mall.

Making the transition into a brick and mortar has been fulfilling in multiple ways, Newton said.

"It's just the personal interaction piece that I think is very different from online to being in a brick-and-mortar place," Newton said. "You get to see the happy on people. You get to see the sad on people, and you get the opportunity in that moment of interaction to make a difference in somebody's life.

"And every day that I come in here, I want to see women happy, smiling."

An array of hats are hung for sale at K Michael's Collection, a new boutique at West Ridge Mall.
An array of hats are hung for sale at K Michael's Collection, a new boutique at West Ridge Mall.

What all can you find in K Michael's Collection?

K Michael's Collection offers women's clothing varying from skirts, shorts, dresses, one-piece sets, hats and more.

"You're going to find a variety of clothes and you're going to find a variety of accessories that can make your outfits out of the box, that can make your outfits business casual, that can make your outfits fun and flirty," Newton said.

Including other small businesses items in the store is something Newton would like to eventually pursue "to display their things in here, get their name out there, get their brand out there, show what they have," she said.

Women and men's fragrances, oils, handmade body and beard soap and more from Nita Elrod — Newton's daughter — can also be found in K Michael's Collection.

Patrice Newton, owner of K Micheal's Collection at West Ridge Mall, adjusts a rack of dresses she at her new boutique last week. Newton says the store features pants, swimsuits and coverups, business/church attire, jumpsuits and plus-size options.
Patrice Newton, owner of K Micheal's Collection at West Ridge Mall, adjusts a rack of dresses she at her new boutique last week. Newton says the store features pants, swimsuits and coverups, business/church attire, jumpsuits and plus-size options.

What are K Michael's business hours?

K Michael's will operate under regular West Ridge business hours, which are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday.

"However, I am looking at changing Monday and Tuesday hours to either open later or have those hours that are in the beginning be for specific clients that would like to come in and reserve that time for, 'I want to change my look,'" Newton said.

More: The best of yesterday and today is featured at this new shop in Topeka's NOTO district

West Ridge Mall manager Casey Richardson said she's happy the mall is bringing in so many positive business owners who want to see the mall succeed and Newton is one of them.

"She's really added to that culture that we're trying to create at West Ridge Mall. Not to mention she has a lot of really cute clothes," Richardson said.

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: K Michael's Collection now open at Topeka's West Ridge Mall

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next