Olathe’s new Unwind — a place to renew over food, drink and retail therapy

Jean Busey and Jane Hosey Stern worked together as counselors in the Blue Valley school district — developing programs, helping teachers, parents and students.

“We thought how cool it would be to have a gathering space not on school property. A place for eating and beverages, art classes and shopping on the side,” Hosey Stern said.

Hosey Stern retired from the Olathe School District in 2013. She also had been operating a gift store, Junque Drawer Boutique & Studio, since 2010 and in 2014 expanded with a new location at 233 S. Cherry St. Then the house next door — at 108 W. Cedar St., which also had been converted into a commercial building — became available.

Hosey Stern and Busey, along with their daughters Zoe Busey and Hannah Stern, came up with the plan to put Unwind Bistro & Boutique in the space. It would be a place to “relax, renew and unwind with food, drink and a bit of retail therapy,” Hosey Stern said.

It opened with limited hours, four days a week in late November and recently expanded its hours and is open six days a week.

“We have nonworking wall clocks with attached wings. We don’t have TVs. We have nice candles going, nice music. It’s a very, very soothing atmosphere,” Hosey Stern said. “Sometimes when you go out to eat, with the noise level I come out less relaxed than when I go in.”

Hosey Stern described the kitchen as “postage size” so it has a limited menu — lunch items like chicken salad croissant sandwiches, sun-dried tomato quiche and Cobb salad, as well as small plates like hummus with pita chips and vegetables, soft pretzels with queso cheese and spinach artichoke dip. Olathe’s Bob the Baker & Catering Specialist makes the cakes.

Jean’s husband, Steve Busey of BSE Structural Engineers in Lenexa, did most of the remodeling and now smokes the bistro’s meats. Their son, Zach Busey, serves as bartender and their daughter, Zoe Busey, is chef.

Hosey Stern’s daughter, Hannah Stern, is special events coordinator for classes and parties. Unwind Bistro & Boutique is available for private events like baby showers, bridal showers, fundraisers, retirement parties or luncheons. Its “art adventures” include classes on making such items as jewelry, wind chimes and stepping stones, as well as canvas painting.

Upstairs is the boutique with items carefully chosen to put a smile on customers’ faces.

“After being a counselor for so many years there is a lot of sadness people go through,” Hosey Stern said. “We want to affirm that life is good. We can choose to think and behave differently.”

It has pillows with such sayings as “Free spirit,” “Alcohol because no great story ever started with someone eating a salad,” or “Good morning gorgeous;” pennants with “You are my sunshine,” or “Best kid ever,” and wall hangings with the words “Eat cake for breakfast” or “I’m a grown-ass lady and I do what I want.” It also will do custom wall hangings with a customer’s favorite quote.

It also has scented soaps like “citrus surprise” and “lavender fields,” candles, greeting cards, stationery, colorful socks, billowy tops and more.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

Corinth Square updates

Prairie Village’s Corinth Square is getting two new tenants.

▪ Made in KC plans a soft opening Friday in the former The Foot Spot space at 8231 Corinth Mall. It will have a grand opening Saturday with vendors on-site.

It also has locations in the Northland and Overland Park. The shops sell local goods from more than 75 makers and artists in metro area, including T-shirts, coasters, posters, ceramics, leather goods, locally-themed books and books by local authors, and specialty foods like barbecue sauces, rubs and chocolates.

The Foot Spot relocated to Ranch Mart North.

▪ Power Life Yoga plans a Saturday opening for its new studio at 4145 Somerset Drive, anchoring the renovated building on the northwest corner of the shopping center near Hen House.

The owners, Adam and Steph Geneser, have five other studios in the Kansas City and Des Moines areas. The studios offer yoga for beginners, heated yoga, yoga sculpt (yoga with weights) and barre format.

This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Olathe’s new Unwind — a place to renew over food, drink and retail therapy."