~{ Greeting from Bride's Corner, Waterloo, IA }~
(This is part one of hopefully many more features that I will bring to you in the coming weeks and months. I hope to spotlight more area businesses that either have a local connection, share a similar interest as I do or feature a unique story that just needs to be told. This is the story of a small town girl living a big city dream!)
Don't let the title "Business Owner" fool you. Natalie Mormann is as small-town as they come.
"I'm from the Manchester area and went to Maquoketa Valley High School," she said with a warm, welcoming chuckle. "Sure, there were opportunities to move away and work in a big city but I don't know, I guess I just love this area."
Even though I had attended neighboring West Delaware High School and was only getting to know her now as I visited her shop as a fellow small business owner, she treated me as if we had known each other our whole lives. She was warm, inviting and unavoidably cheerful. She seemed like the kind of person that couldn't hurt a fly but would rather spend her day trying to pick out just the right outfit for said fly.
This is probably a pretty common thought that goes across the mind of anyone that has had the pleasure of ever meeting or getting to work with her. A native of Delaware County (where she currently resides with husband Chad and four children), she brings a small town smile and charm to Bride's Corner, a fixture for over 30-years in the uber-competitive bridal gown market in the Cedar Valley, Iowa and Midwest.
I had the opportunity to visit her shop with camera in hand last Friday morning and was immediately struck by how beautiful her shop is. It was exactly as I remembered it (if not better!) from back when my wife was shopping around for her wedding dress around 2008-09.
Located at 620 Commercial Street in Waterloo, Iowa, it is 3,200 square feet of bridal and Prom dress awesomeness, operated by someone that grew up only a few miles away from where I did, nearly an hour east from where we both reside and work now.
She took over the shop almost 10 years ago and has never looked back. Having graduated with a degree in Textile and Apparel from the University of Northern Iowa, Mormann had the opportunity to learn her trade--and the ins and outs of Bridal Corner--long before she ever took over ownership of it.
She spent a while working at the shop and when the opportunity to take over presented itself, it was a no-brainer.
"I got the opportunity to work here and really learn the business. It was fun work and I really learned a lot," she said.
Natalie now has the opportunity to not only help brides and high schoolers find that perfect dress, she also has the unique opportunity to look forward to going to work everyday.
"Working here allows me to really enjoy what I do for a living. I couldn't be happier."
Having been a bride herself, Mormann knows firsthand what brides go through trying to find not only the perfect gown for their big day but also how important it is for brides to find a bridal salon that goes the extra mile to make them feel special from the moment they walk through the door.
"We strive to offer a commitment to our customers to offer the best possible shopping experience that focuses on a very personalized, one-on-one approach to the whole process," she said. "At Bride's Corner we make dreams a reality, one bride at a time."
And in an age where some brides are heading online to find a deal on their gowns, Mormann feels that it's the personal attention that she and her staff offer that sets them apart and makes them worth the visit.
"We offer personalized service throughout the shopping process and that's something you just can't get online," Mormann said. "We want to be there after the sale to make sure that you get the perfect fit, the perfect look and have the perfect experience."
And even if shoppers that stop by the shop find a dress elsewhere?
"We hope they remember the service and fun experience they had while visiting Bride's Corner!"
 |
| Natalie Mormann brings a small town smile and charm to Bride's Corner, a 30+ year fixture in the uber-competitive bridal gown market in the Cedar Valley, Iowa and Midwest. Bride's Corner features 3,200 square feet of today's latest fashions in bridal gowns and Prom dresses. |
"I'm from the Manchester area and went to Maquoketa Valley High School," she said with a warm, welcoming chuckle. "Sure, there were opportunities to move away and work in a big city but I don't know, I guess I just love this area."
Even though I had attended neighboring West Delaware High School and was only getting to know her now as I visited her shop as a fellow small business owner, she treated me as if we had known each other our whole lives. She was warm, inviting and unavoidably cheerful. She seemed like the kind of person that couldn't hurt a fly but would rather spend her day trying to pick out just the right outfit for said fly.
This is probably a pretty common thought that goes across the mind of anyone that has had the pleasure of ever meeting or getting to work with her. A native of Delaware County (where she currently resides with husband Chad and four children), she brings a small town smile and charm to Bride's Corner, a fixture for over 30-years in the uber-competitive bridal gown market in the Cedar Valley, Iowa and Midwest.
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| Bride's Corner is a full-service bridal boutique serving the Cedar Valley area in Waterloo, Iowa since 1979 and is located at 620 Commercial St in Waterloo, Iowa. Call Natalie at 319-232-2809 for more information and to schedule an appointment with one of their talented bridal consultants today. |
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| Featuring some of top names in the world of bridal dresses and Prom dresses, Bride's Corner is stocked full of today's latest fashions and brands to assure that you find the gown of your dreams. |
I had the opportunity to visit her shop with camera in hand last Friday morning and was immediately struck by how beautiful her shop is. It was exactly as I remembered it (if not better!) from back when my wife was shopping around for her wedding dress around 2008-09.
Located at 620 Commercial Street in Waterloo, Iowa, it is 3,200 square feet of bridal and Prom dress awesomeness, operated by someone that grew up only a few miles away from where I did, nearly an hour east from where we both reside and work now.
She took over the shop almost 10 years ago and has never looked back. Having graduated with a degree in Textile and Apparel from the University of Northern Iowa, Mormann had the opportunity to learn her trade--and the ins and outs of Bridal Corner--long before she ever took over ownership of it.
She spent a while working at the shop and when the opportunity to take over presented itself, it was a no-brainer.
"I got the opportunity to work here and really learn the business. It was fun work and I really learned a lot," she said.
Natalie now has the opportunity to not only help brides and high schoolers find that perfect dress, she also has the unique opportunity to look forward to going to work everyday.
"Working here allows me to really enjoy what I do for a living. I couldn't be happier."
 |
| An awesome and memorable shopping experience starts the moment you walk through the front door, according to owner Natalie Mormann. |
Having been a bride herself, Mormann knows firsthand what brides go through trying to find not only the perfect gown for their big day but also how important it is for brides to find a bridal salon that goes the extra mile to make them feel special from the moment they walk through the door.
"We strive to offer a commitment to our customers to offer the best possible shopping experience that focuses on a very personalized, one-on-one approach to the whole process," she said. "At Bride's Corner we make dreams a reality, one bride at a time."
 |
| A mirror reflection shows Mormann assisting a bride in finding the perfect dress with the perfect fit. Offering a very laid back, personalized experience is something Mormann strives to achieve with every client that visits her store. |
"We offer personalized service throughout the shopping process and that's something you just can't get online," Mormann said. "We want to be there after the sale to make sure that you get the perfect fit, the perfect look and have the perfect experience."
 |
| You don't have to be a bride-to-be to get personalized treatment at Bride's Corner. Even if you're a high schooler in search of the most hip and colorful dress to rock your Prom, Mormann will help you find your perfect dress. |
And even if shoppers that stop by the shop find a dress elsewhere?
"We hope they remember the service and fun experience they had while visiting Bride's Corner!"
The Bride's Corner did all of the dresses for my daughters wedding, and all of the dresses and the tuxes for my sons wedding. Natalie has a gift for what she does and went out if her way to make sure everything was perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Diana! That's great to hear!
ReplyDeleteDo you mind if I share your thoughts on my Facebook wall to those readers that have an interest in this story?
Thanks! Justin Scott, Owner/Photographer JScott Images