New space, familiar purpose: Myrtle & Grace owner relocates dream business to Highland Square

By Brittany Blackwell
Reporter • For Maria Geppert, opening her boutique business in Highland was never just about retail.

Her goal is to build a space that feels personal and welcoming — a place where each customer can slow down, find meaningful gifts and have good conversations, embodying Myrtle & Grace’s central mission of thoughtful gifting and community connection.

Now that her business, Myrtle & Grace, has recently relocated to a larger storefront on the Highland Square, Geppert said her long-term vision is finally taking shape.

 

“We moved mainly for more space and a little bit more visibility near the square,” Geppert said. “It’s amazing, just that little bit of a move. You can feel the difference in energy being up here.”

The store officially opened its new downtown location — closing its Washington Street location to open at 825 Main Street — in late April after what Geppert described as a whirlwind two-day move.

“We got the fixtures on a Sunday and by Tuesday night it was up and Wednesday we were running,” she said. “When this project first started, it was just a concrete floor and walls.”

Renovations took almost a year and the project concluded with a busy first week in the new space, she said. The move nearly doubled the store’s size, giving customers more room to browse the curated gifts, home décor, body products, candles, food and local goods.

“In the old store, if you got five or six people in there, it felt really tight,” Geppert said. “I like that people can kind of have their own space to shop where they can go slow and look at things.”

Geppert grew up in Highland and graduated from Highland High School. She went on to attend the University of Kansas, built her career in Kansas City and had two sons. 

Her first professional job was as a buyer for a catalog marketing company working with Hallmark stores. This took her to major gift markets where she found her passion for merchandising and curating gifts.

“That whole process really curated my vision for this,” Geppert said. “I just absolutely love it. I love gift giving and making gifts special.”

After about 30 years in Kansas City, another significant change came in 2021 when Geppert moved back to Highland with her husband, Mark, who owns a custom renovation business. They reconnected years after high school. 

Upon returning, the couple first renovated an Airbnb property called “The Nook,” then launched Myrtle & Grace in 2023. She has enjoyed working on the projects with her husband, explaining how she couldn’t be fulfilling this dream without him. 

“I had envisioned a store around the square since I was in high school,” Geppert said. “I was literally walking my dog and saw the building for sale and thought, ‘That’s it. That’s perfect.’”  

The meaning behind the store’s name is also significant for Geppert and reflects her intentions for the business.

 

Geppert explained that “Myrtle” appears several times in the Bible and is a symbol of love and abundance. “Grace” embodies kindness, peace and goodwill and represents the feeling and mission she wants customers to experience in the store.

“It’s about what I stand for and what I want my whole vision and mission to be,” she said.

Geppert fills the store with products from local businesses and creators. Some include Sugar Creek Candles Co., locally roasted coffee from Michael’s Coffee Shop, custom items with Trendy Tees & More, and greeting cards by local artist Paulette Todd.

A personal store feature is Geppert’s “Hugs” line of blankets designed to comfort people during tough times. Custom notes can be printed on each blanket which is then packaged and ready for gifting or mailed to your loved one. 

“It’s like sending someone a hug,” she said.

Community support has been one of the most rewarding parts of running the business, Geppert said. 

“People really step up and come out and make you feel loved,” she said. “That’s what’s so great about being in a small town.”

 

She aims to expand the business beyond retail by hosting shopping events, offering coffee and weekend gatherings, and launching online ordering and custom gift boxes.

“I want people to come in here and just forget the world for a minute,” Geppert said. “I want them to feel relaxed and enjoy the space.”

For Geppert, who started a new career after turning 50, the business also carries a message she hopes others will remember.

“Don’t be afraid to do what you really love in any capacity,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what age you are. Just take a step.”

Stay connected with Myrtle & Grace by following its Facebook page or calling 618-541-1079. The store is open from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday.