Shopping in McPherson

Growing up in Benton, Kansas, fourth-grade pals Monte Ysidro and Jason Bell were probably more focused on seeing the chalkboard clearly than opening a collection of high-end optical boutiques. And yet, beginning in 2002, that's just what they did, starting out humbly in a 10'x10' kiosk at a local mall. Today, friendly staffers at five rapidly growing Specs locations point guests in the direction of designer frames and prescription sunglasses by brands such as Oakley and Maui Jim. The crew also employs advanced technology to create lenses with high-performance coatings, custom-fit curves, and high definition, which allow wearers to make out the moon's facial expression.

Having traveled to teahouses the world over, the owner of Chelmsford Tea and Gifts wanted to open a shop that represented the full spectrum of tea-brewing possibilities. With more than 180 types of loose-leaf and bagged teas from around the globe, his establishment unlocks a barrage of delicate flavors in prepared hot or iced drinks with expert steeping know-how. For the home brewer, the shop stocks french presses, stainless-steel infusers, and Brown Betty teapots from England, where tea-leaf reading is a televised sport. Naturally flavored black teas, herbal teas, and mild, caffeine-free rooibos teas also pair well the shop's stock of scone mixes and jams.