Prom dresses, gowns, tuxedos in myriad of styles and colors

By: Noelle Rulseh, Herald Times Reporter

Name of business: Affairs to Remember Bridal, Formal Wear, & Tuxedo Shop
Ownership: Jeanne Kautzer
When business started: Nov. 1, 1985
Location: 4638 Expo Drive, Manitowoc
Phone number: (920) 684-0323
Web site: www.affairstorememberbridal.com
Hours and days of operation: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.

Services provided-products sold: Shopping for prom is in full swing and Affairs to Remember has a large selection of dresses from satin to chiffon in a rainbow palette of colors.

One of the popular styles is the strapless dress with jeweled beading and a multi-layered ballgown skirt. For a sophisticated look, some prom dresses feature exotic animal prints.

Affairs to Remember offers a special service to prom girls. Owner Jeanne Kautzer said they keep track of every purchase so the girls can be guaranteed they won't find the same style dress in the same color at the same school.

The store sells a wide variety of bridal gowns, ranging in price from $199 up to $800, from size 2 to woman's size 30. The store offers custom fittings and in-house alterations.

Alterations range from $75 to $125 for bridal dresses and around $45 for prom dresses. One full-time seamstress has been with the store since 1985 and a part-time seamstress has been doing in-house alterations for seven years.

Destination wedding dresses, made from fabric that travels well, have become popular, and lace-wedding dresses are back in style. Every dress that leaves the shop is steamed and ironed free of charge.

Bridesmaid dresses are available in 55 colors in a multitude of styles. The store also features bridesmaid separates offering different size tops and skirts to mix and match. There are many different styles to choose from so all the bridesmaid ensembles will coordinate.

Men can rent tuxedos from $89 to $130 and business suits rent for $89. The style for tuxedos includes long ties with laid down collars and full back vests. Shoes to rent also are available.

Affairs to Remember sells dresses for flower girls, mini brides, First Holy Communion, and ring bearer tuxedos. Accessories sold include shoes, dressy flip-flops, garters, purses, veils, gloves, jewelry, and other gift items. The store has an "in stock only" formal wear section with sale prices ranging from $59 to $79.

How has business changed since opening? Kautzer said bridal dresses in 1985 had different sizing with dresses cut smaller. Beads were glued on, and today beads are hand sewn.

Dresses had long, fitted sleeves or pouf sleeves, and, now, strapless or spaghetti strap dresses are popular. Bridal dresses today have a touch of color such as cornflower blue or claret that coordinates with the color of the bridesmaid dresses.

Back in the 1980s wedding parties would have an average of six bridesmaids, whereas, today, the average is four bridesmaids. Today, more tuxedos are being rented.

One thing that has remained constant at Affairs to Remember is the personal service given to each customer, Kautzer said.

Who are the customers and from where? Kautzer said her customers come from Manitowoc County, up to Green Bay, and south to Sheboygan and Oostburg.

Who or what is the competition? In 1985, when Affairs to Remember opened, five stores sold wedding dresses in the Manitowoc area, and today Affairs to Remember is the largest bridal and formal wear store in the Lakeshore area.

How is marketing done? Kautzer said marketing is through word of mouth from satisfied customers, and bridesmaids come back when they are planning their own weddings. Affairs to Remember also has a Web site and they place ads in the newspaper.

What are the keys to future success? The store has a large inventory of dresses and other formal wear for customers to choose from and Jeanne travels to the National Bridal Market in Chicago twice a year to buy inventory for her shop.

Personal service is the number one priority for helping each customer find the perfect dress for their special occasion, and hiring great employees is key to this personal service, she said.

Affairs to Remember has a staff of 10. Kim Andrastek worked for the store for many years, went on to teach pre-school, and is now back at Affairs to Remember. Many of the girls that Kim had in pre-school are now shopping for their prom dresses.

Factors under control or not under control of ownership? Kautzer said factors under control include an inventory with a dress for every girl in every price range, and hiring excellent people to provide top customer service.

The economy is a factor not under control.

What is the role of creativity or imagination in running the business or selling products and services? Creativity involves keeping an inventory of a wide variety of dress styles and colors, and the employees displaying this merchandise in creative ways.

What is challenging? It can be challenging when there are last minute wedding and prom purchases, and knowing which companies are dependable for fast shipment.

What is enjoyable? Kautzer said, "The people and making a connection with each customer. You see a girl come in for a prom or wedding and she is so excited. We live in her excitement!"

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