|
1977
|
In 1977, Jim and Lois Fritz opened Wedding Shoppe Inc. on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Grand Avenue is famous for its small, specialty businesses, many located in 1920 Victorian Styles houses as is Wedding Shoppe Inc. At the time, Jim was playing in a local band. While performing at wedding events, guests would ask if he had recommendations of places to buy bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedos, accessories, gifts, and other wedding services. In the late seventies, wedding retailers were mostly specialized, forcing brides and grooms to shop at several different specialty shops to find all their wedding needs.
It was from this common practice that Jim and Lois developed the concept of "Your One Stop Wedding Shoppe!"®. They hoped to create an establishment that had the charm, service, and selection of a specialty store, while carrying all the merchandise and services necessary for a wedding. Wedding Shoppe Inc. featured bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedo rentals, wedding gifts, accessories as well as catering and floral services all in one building.
|
| 1980 |
Wedding Shoppe Inc. has always received the majority of business through referrals from satisfied customers. As these referrals increased so did Wedding Shoppe Inc.'s business. Jim and Lois doubled the size of the retail store on the south side of Grand Ave to accommodate the increase of business. |
| 1985 |
To create more space for dress alterations, a separate custom fittings building is opened at 1201 Grand Avenue. |
| 1990 |
The size of the alterations building is doubled to increase work space and dress storage. |
| 1991 |
With more satisfied brides and increased business, the corporate office is opened at 1197 Grand Avenue to provide brides with a superior call center and customer service. Unlike many bridal salons, Wedding Shoppe Inc. provides brides with trained customer service. Their only job is to track your order from start to finish and answer any questions you may have during the process. |
| 1995 |
Wedding Shoppe Inc. continues to expand, purchasing 1192 Grand Avenue, and connecting it to the original retail store. This expansion significantly increases the size of retail space. |
| 1999 |
Wedding Shoppe Inc. ends the catering and floral business to focus on wedding apparel and accessories. |
| 2000 |
The first generation Wedding Shoppe web site is launched. It provided brides with basic info about the bridal salon. |
| 2000-Present |
Wedding Shoppe Inc. buyers begin working with designers to bring Minnesota brides exclusive styles and styles not yet available to any other bridal salon in the country. |
| 2006 |
Wedding Shoppe Inc. wins the highest lifetime achievement award in the bridal industry, Outstanding Retailer of the Year by the National Bridal Market Association. All the bridal designers vote to select one outstanding bridal salon. In the following year, Wedding Shoppe Inc. continues to win more local and national awards including Best of Weddings by the Knot, Best Place to Buy Bridal Gowns and Accessories by MN Bride Magazine, and Best Bridal by CitySearch.
|
| 2007 |
Wedding Shoppe Inc. reaches 50 employees. |
| 2009 |
To provide brides around the world with the same selection and service, Wedding Shoppe Inc. launches a complete e-commerce and wedding planning web site. |