Mishka + Mikki: Portarlington lifestyle store to close

Business owner Michelle Rathgeber was diagnosed with an incurable illness 18 years ago, but she has remained positive and never let it get to her, enjoying a fulfilling business career.

Time for a change – Michelle Rathgeber, Jenny Hermetz and Cherie Morston. Mishka + Mikki is a homewares store in Portarlington. The owners are retiring. Picture: Alan Barber

Michelle Rathgeber was diagnosed with an incurable illness 18 years ago, but she never let it get to her.

It was announced last month that Mishka + Mikki, the boutique retailer she owns with husband Michael in Portarlington would close by the end of May.

Mrs Rathgeber said it wasn’t an easy one choice, but it was one she “had to face”.

She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 18 years ago.

The chronic disease has no known cure, but Mrs Rathgeber said she did not let it define her or rule her life.

“I didn’t let it get to me, I look at is as me and my shadow. It’s there, but it’s always been fairly far removed,” she said.

Throughout her time dealing with the illness, Mrs Rathgeber has remained positive, and believes learning to accept and embrace challenges is just part of life.

“We are getting to 60; I’ve still been able to continue working for that whole time,” she said.

“I was still able to do all of those things and leave my mark on the world.

“Wherever you walk, you leave footprints. Make those footprints count.”

Mishka + Mikki owners Michael and Michelle Rathgeber. Picture: Facebook.

Mishka + Mikki opened its doors in 2018, offering “quality clothing and quirky homewares”.

After owning and operating businesses for 35 years, Mishka + Mikki was always intended to be the couple’s “last one”.

“I woke up one night, I woke up my husband and said ‘one more business’ and that’s it,” Mrs Rathgeber said.

“(I told him), ‘Mishka and Mikki, that’s you and I together’.”

Portarlington was chosen as it had special meaning to the couple.

“The philosophy behind our store is to create a journey for people when they come in,” Mrs Rathgeber said.

The store built a loyal and wide customer-base.

“They come from everywhere … Bendigo, Ballarat, all around Melbourne,” she said.
“The customers that we have are incredible. That feeling of all being part of a community of the love, the sharing, the care.”

Mrs Rathgeber said the progression of the illness had started to impact her effectiveness, and her output had become unpredictable.

The couple were grateful for the outpouring of support and “love and respect” after the closure was announced, both from staff and customers, Mrs Rathgeber said.

“It takes a village to raise a child, just as it takes a team and a community to make a business successful,” she said.

“It’s just one big beautiful happy bubble, regardless of what that bubble looks like.”

Michael, the other half of Mishka + Mikki, will continue his telescope and binocular business.

The couple will spend more time with their family, and hope to travel.

“We’ve got elderly parents and we’ve got two beautiful little granddaughters in Bendigo,” Mrs Rathgeber said.

“We want to see a bit of Australia and see a few things while we still can.”

Originally published as Mishka + Mikki: Portarlington lifestyle store to close