About & History
Our Story
A superfan, an engineer, and a purse that turned an awards-night moment into a small business.
Where It Began
One night. One purse.
In 2025, Chicago Bears superfan Jonathan Otten was named Fan of the Year and headed to a national football awards event with his wife. He wanted her to have a standout accessory, so he built it with longtime friend and engineer-designer Chris Kava: the original cheese grater purse.
The reaction was immediate. People stopped, laughed, asked where they could get one. The pair spent the following year refining the design, pursuing patent protection, and preparing for launch, and The Grater Guys was born.
The Road So Far
From prototype to patent pending
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October 2025
Fan of the Year
Jonathan Otten is named 2025 Chicago Bears Fan of the Year.
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February 2026
National football awards ceremony
Jonathan Otten and his wife attend the national football awards event, where the prototype purse makes its head-turning debut.
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February - August 2026
Building the company and launch
Jonathan and Chris refine the design, dial in materials and 3D-printing production, and pursue patent protection for the one-of-a-kind silhouette.
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What's next
Growing the lineup
More grater-themed originals are on the drawing board, along with plans to sell direct as the company grows.
The Guys Behind the Grater
Meet the founders
Co-Founder
Jonathan Otten
Chicago Bears superfan, disabled veteran, and the 2025 Fan of the Year. Jonathan dreamed up the purse for his wife and turned the reaction into a family-built business.
“Fans love a good rivalry. When my wife walked in with the original cheese grater purse, the reaction was immediate. It was fun, unexpected and stylish. As a disabled veteran, building this business with my family and friend has been incredibly rewarding.”
Co-Founder
Chris Kava
Engineer-designer and longtime friend. Chris turned the idea into a product, engineering a purse that's flexible, durable, lightweight, and unmistakably a grater.
“Seeing how people reacted to that first purse made us realize we had created something special. Turning a simple idea into a real product that brings people joy has been an incredible experience.”
What We Stand For
Joy, humor & originality
The Grater Guys is a small business dedicated to bringing joy, humor, and originality to fan culture. Every purse is handmade with care using innovative 3D-printing technology in the Greater Detroit Metro area, where both founders live and are building their growing brand.
Veteran-Owned
Proudly a veteran owned small business.
Handmade with Care
A Fresh Take on Fan Fashion. Each purse is produced to order with modern 3D-printing.
For the Fans
Designed for fans in Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, and beyond, anyone who loves a good rivalry.