Our Shop Now a Full-Service Bridal Salon

Ideas & Inspiration

Our Shop Now a Full-Service Bridal Salon

Who needs big-box bridal boutiques when the Twin Cities has a bevy of locally owned shops dedicated to knowledgeable service, specialized attention and stylish designer gowns at sensible prices? The latest to join the bridal world is Our Shop, a cozy boutique that sits along the St. Croix River Valley in the heart of Stillwater’s quaint downtown. The store recently expanded its showroom to accommodate bridal wear, so we stopped by to get a glimpse.

Chances are the owner of Our Shop, Carol Sudheimer, will greet you as you arrive. A petite woman with dark hair, glasses and a warm, inviting manner, Sudheimer has spent the past 19 years running retail shops and hails from a lineage of sewers and seamstresses. “My great-grandmother made wedding gowns,” she explains, “and I’ve sewed since I was a little girl.” It’s her experience and passion for helping others that make her a reassuring presence during what can often be an overwhelming experience for a bride.

Our Shop, which opened in 1992, until recently catered mostly to mothers-of-the-brides, grooms and women attending formal functions. But in March 2009, the store moved across town to accommodate its growing clientele and demand for inventory. It wasn’t until she settled in that space that Sudheimer learned of an available space next door—and the perfect place for her shop to grow. Expanding into bridal wear happened quicker than she had planned, but “it was a natural extension for me,” Sudheimer says. So nine months after her arrival at 214 Main St., she expanded into a full-service bridal and special occasions boutique.

Tucked away past an extensive collection of cocktail and formal gowns, a large archway appears, revealing the brightly lit bridal salon. Pale-pink walls hug neatly aligned rows of ivory wedding gowns, a complementary touch to the rich golden oak floors, mirrored pillars and crystal chandeliers that add touches of glamour. The secluded space exudes a soft, feminine elegance, perfect for a bride-to-be to comfortably sift through a variety of dresses.

Our Shop brings together a select grouping of affordable labels that are decidedly distinctive. Featured bridal labels include the Spanish line La Sposa and Justin Alexander, accompanied by a few private labels you can’t find online or in other local bridal salons, as well as a smattering of destination dresses. Prices range from $500 to $3,000, making the shop accessible to a broad clientele. But what really sets it apart is reading between the lines, says Sudheimer. “We take the time to listen. We learn the bride’s personality, ask about the wedding and her fiancé, and watch how she moves in the dress.”

Brides in the market for a wedding gown should consider setting up an appointment and bringing Mom along. “As the daughter is in the dressing room, we’ll catch Mom or Grandma peeking at dresses [in the formalwear area],” giggles Sudheimer, “She’s having just as much fun!” Also available is a small selection of affordable bridesmaid’s dresses and tuxedos for rent. While the bride will surely bask in the limelight on the big day, at Our Shop everyone can find a way to shine.

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