Kathy Gates, owner of the Running Well Store, discusses running, bumping into the Olsen twins and more in this week’s Pitch Questionnaire

Name: Kathy Gates

Occupation: Owner of the Running Well Store

Hometown: It’s complicated … but KC is my hometown. I was born in KC, then the family moved to Huntington Beach, California (Surf City, USA!). Then back to Platte City for my high school years. So in grade school, I was “That Midwest Girl” and in high school “That Cali Girl.” But even a post-college four-year stint in New York City still has me feeling most at home in the Midwest.

Current neighborhood: My stores are located in the Northland and Lee’s Summit. So I basically live in two very opposite sections of town. Maybe I really live on the highway? But my house is in the Northland — and I do visit it once in a while.

What I do: I own the Running Well Store, a running/walking specialty store that matches each customer with his or her perfect pair of shoes and gear.

What’s your addiction? Right now, I am hooked on cheesy popcorn, but anything cheesy is awesome. I heard running is good for burning that off. I’ll let you know!

What’s your game? Trivia at Cinder Block Brewery. My store hosts a Tuesday group run and beer run … so we run, then head to the brewery for trivia and a (few) beer(s)!

What’s your drink? Ha, that depends on the time! Before noon it’s Parkville Coffeehouse, on trivia nights it’s a cold Northtown Native at Cinder Block, and then everything in between is water — especially before and after our group runs!

Where’s dinner? Between owning two stores (on opposite sides of town) and managing an event-production company, I, sadly, often eat on the run.

What’s on your KC postcard? I really love all the KC pride T-shirts that are on the market right now. I would like to grab a bunch from Charlie Hustle, Normal Human and Bandwagon, and then patch them all together for a cool, KC-pride collage-esque postcard.

Finish this sentence: “Kansas City got it right when …” We started First Fridays!

“Kansas City screwed up when …” They built 71 Highway with stoplights. And didn’t keep Billy Butler.

“Kansas City needs …” A really good bagel joint.

“In five years, I’ll be …” Still doing what I love, whether it’s lucrative or just getting me by.

“I always laugh at …” Dirty jokes.

“I’ve been known to binge-watch …” Spaceballs. I wish it weren’t true, but I own it on VHS and DVD.

“I can’t stop listening to …” Beyoncé. I am not ashamed to be part of the BeyHive.

“I just read …” Um … a purchase order? I won’t lie. I haven’t read a thing for leisure since I started my own business.

The best advice I ever got: “If you don’t open your mouth, you open your pocketbook” — my great-grandma and my mom’s famous mantra.

Worst advice: “You should open a credit card when you get to college.” That should be illegal.

My sidekick: Otis (my wheaten terrier puppy)! He is my little homie who goes everywhere with me. He is always at the Running Well Store, and his most favorite thing is our group runs!

My dating triumph/tragedy: I don’t really have any tragedies. I did slow-dance with Matthew Lillard right after Scream came out. I am pretty sure he wanted to date me after that.

My brush with fame: I literally bumped into Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen at a hotel bar in NYC. They are so tiny and, yes, they were wearing their trashbag-style clothing.

My 140-character soapbox: Hey, “south of the river,” the Northland is more than “the airport.” It’s Parkville, Cinder Block Brewery, Line Creek Trail, Weston … come visit and stay awhile.

What was the last thing you had to apologize for? I always try to make people happy … so I find myself apologizing more than I probably need to.

Who’s sorry now? I assume Kanye is? And he probably will be again.

My recent triumph: Opening my second Running Well Store location in Lee’s Summit!

The Running Well Store is located in the Northland (6106 Northwest Barry Road) and in Lee’s Summit (418 Highway 291, Lee’s Summit).