Business Spotlight

by Steven Nix-Ennen

SBJ Contributing Writer

The passion that Marilyn Baker has for her business can sometimes surpass the passions that bring her clients into the Bridal Boutique. The Republic native has been married for 31 years, but she speaks of the excitement brought to hundreds of women each year with the enthusiasm of a blushing bride.

"I have always dreamed of working with brides," Baker said. "I remember being 7 or 8 years old and cutting bridal gowns out of the Sears catalogue. Now, I want to make each girl's wedding special."

The Bridal Boutique acts as a full-service bridal salon helping brides-to-be plan the style, location, photography and floral arrangements of their weddings. Baker, her daughter, Holly, and a well-trained team offer close personal attention to the details that fluster so many on that important day.

"We try really to be an all-in-one service," Baker said.

That service extends to all facets of the formal-gown market: prom dresses, evening dresses, gowns for debutante balls and formals, and all of the accoutrements needed for dressing for these big occasions. For a brief time the boutique offered tuxedo rentals, too, but phased out that aspect of the business to concentrate on preparing the brides to the best of the staff's ability.

Baker started at the JC Penny bridal department in 1982. Soon after, she was managing the department. By 1988, she set out on her own, and the Bridal Boutique opened its doors in Springfield's Galleria shopping center. The business grew quickly. Baker moved her boutique to its Plaza Tower shopping center location in 1994.

"I moved here for expansion," Baker said. "We had a very small showroom and dressing rooms."

Now Baker has 2,300 square feet of showroom and dressing space. Sometimes that much hardly seems enough. Deliveries arrive daily from around the world.

With growing success, Bridal Boutique aids in a yearly average of seven weddings per weekend. That includes readying brides, bridesmaids, moms and grandmoms for the spotlight.

In the busiest time of the year, which is now, the boutique can outfit 13 to 15 brides and wedding parties in one weekend and handle the needs of prom-goers, formals and whatever spring functions arise.

The pace can be hectic and all-consuming for the well-trained staff. Baker's daughter Holly, who is graduating from Drury this spring, has been involved in the boutique for the last nine years. Husband Bob and son Robert have been great supports and lent help when needed, Baker said. Niki Smith, Cindy Murray and Paula Dougherty round out a knowledgeable staff that functions as much as an advisory committee as a retail sales staff.

"It is not like any other retail sales," Baker said. "The girls (of the boutique) have to know so much about everything that goes into a wedding so they can make sure the bride is prepared. We also have to deal with the fickle nature of relationships."

Baker said one of the biggest challenges is coordinating the timing of the wedding.

And, of course, there are those weddings that are cancelled and revived on spats and whims.

"We have girls come in here a year and a half before their wedding, and have had girls come in here two weeks before their wedding," Baker said. "A lot of them don't realize the time it takes to put a wedding together. Some gowns can take up to four months."

When it all works out, which it most often does, Baker and team share in the wedding party's delight. Much of the company's success is due to the personal involvement the Bridal Boutique has in each wedding.

"It is a wonderful feeling to see it all come together and the expressions on the brides' faces. It's a wonderful feeling, but it can be stressful," she said.

It is important for Baker to bring in fashions that accommodate the varied needs of Ozarks women and also offer something slightly unusual for her clients. The boutique is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new line from Spain which is making its debut in the Springfield region. Baker wants to specialize in the unique.

"We like to offer things that are a little different and still offer things that are affordable," Baker said.

Baker said she still hopes to expand her business to accommodate the growing clientele. Although busy with the season, she is also excited about preparing for Holly's November wedding.

"I can't explain the pride I feel in this business," Baker said. "I want to see it grow. I want to see it expand."

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday through Friday

and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

1911 S. Glenstone,

Plaza Tower Shopping Center

882-7411

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