Moments of Gratitude: The Grati Shop Opens in Wilbraham
Wilbraham, MA — Online boutique The Grati Shop has opened an 800-square-foot store in Wilbraham, something that owner Kelly Partridge has been eager to do since starting her business three years ago.
The brick-and-mortar store features a collection of Partridge’s favorite products including her line of cruelty free and vegan makeup and skincare, comfortable women’s fashion and products from other women-owned businesses like handmade soaps and jewelry.
“I’m really big on supporting women in business,” she said. “These are women I’ve connected with over the past few years. We’re all about promoting each other.”
To push awareness for her opening she’s utilizing the Stand Out Truck® which was present for the ribbon cutting and grand opening, then circulated through the neighborhood.
“It’s a fun way to market,” Partridge said. With her location on a busy road, the attention that the truck brings is exactly what she needs as an extra boost to bring attention to her location and let customers know she’s there.
“When you’re trying to stand out as a business, Stand Out Truck is the way to go,” she said.
Looking Good to Feeling Good
Partridge’s journey to create The Grati Shop came from her exit from an abusive relationship. Grati is short for gratitude, something she sought after the experience.
“Self-esteem, self-love, independence and all these things that you might have had before that experience no longer exist for yourself,” she said. “I told myself if I could just get up every day and put on nice clothes and makeup, and make myself feel good again on the outside, maybe I will start building my confidence back and building myself up on the inside.”
This healing journey and effort to focus on the outside first worked. During her transition to get back to herself, Partridge was inspired to reevaluate the direction she wanted to take her life.
“I decided I only wanted to do things I was passionate about,” she said. “It’s the catalyst for change in my life, but all of these wonderful things happened because of it.”
From this journey she discovered the sense of gratitude that led to The Grati Shop and the ability to find a silver lining in situations.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my awful experience,” Partridge said.
Looking Forward
Partridge’s online store will continue to have a wide selection of sizes, colors and options, but the Wilbraham location gives customers a taste of what is available.
Soon after creating her own business in 2020, she was selected as Business West’s 40 Under 40. It was a recognition that surprised her.
“The fact that the community supported what I was doing that much initially was just amazing,” Partridge said. It was another step forward on her journey that will continue to impact her even as she moves forward.
“I feel it’s something that will be with me forever,” she said. Partridge believes in the importance of mental health and is open about sharing her story of survival. “There are so many people out there who relate to you without you knowing.”
Being able to move on from her experience and be grateful for where she is in life is part of the meaning behind The Grati Shop.
“I would never be living the life that I’m living if I didn’t go through that dark time,” she said.
The Grati Shop is located at 2440 Boston Road in Wilbraham. The store is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items can also be purchased online at thegratishop.com.
“It’s a fun way to market. When you’re trying to stand out as a business, Stand Out Truck is the way to go!”
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