Still going strong
Monday, July 25, 2005 1:28 PM PDT
The only dress shop in the world that also sells asparagus celebrates 21st birthday
JESSICA KELLER - ARGUS OBSERVER
NYSSA
NYSSA - What does it mean when a business turns 21 years old?
For Robin and mother Colleen Froerer, owners of the Mint Alley Fashion clothing store in Nyssa, which celebrated its 21st birthday in June, it's hard to describe.
"We're finally legal," Robin Froerer joked.
When the Mint Alley clothing store first opened in Nyssa 21 years ago - in June 1984 - it was a small building, situated in an alley just off Main Street. They named it Mint Alley because of its first location in an alley and after the mint and spearmint the Froerer family farms.
The business has moved to its current location on Main Street, expanded and diversified through the years, and both Froerer's admit they never thought it would be open 21 years later.
"It's a large miracle in a small town," Colleen Froerer said.
The Froerer's are longtime Nyssa residents, Colleen having moved to Nyssa in 1939 where her parents farmed. Robin Froerer was born and raised in Nyssa.
Whose idea it was to open a clothing store in Nyssa is a matter of debate for the Froerer's.
"I'll blame you," Robin Froerer laughed to her mom.
Colleen Froerer explained they decided to open Mint Alley to give Robin, who was working as an oral surgeon's assistant, the opportunity to raise her family and spend time with her young son.
"And I've always been a clothes horse, and it sounded like a fun challenge," Colleen Froerer said.
The challenge has not always been easy, both Froerer's admit, but through the years they have formed relationships and friendships with customers they said they would not give up.
"It's funny because the customers coming in used to be the kids of the customers we used to have," Robin Froerer said.
Many of those friendships are with people who live outside of Nyssa and have come to Mint Alley Fashion because they like the one-of-a-kind clothing the Froerer's work hard to provide and because of the customer service they receive. Robin Froerer said those friendships have extended outside of the store, and frequently customers they have had through the years invite them to weddings or are invited to Froerer weddings and celebrations, including her parents 50th wedding anniversary celebration recently.
"You just become part of their family," Robin Froerer said.
"Or they become part of yours," Colleen added.
"It's nice, nice that we've met some neat people that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet otherwise," Colleen Froerer said.
Robin Froerer said in buying clothes and jewelry for Mint Alley Fashion she and her mother, receiving tips from Robin's 13-year-old daughter on more recent trips to market, they try to outguess and stay ahead of fashion trends.
"We try to keep up with what's going to happen and what we like and hope for the best," she said.
They realize Nyssa is a working community, and people in working communities dress accordingly, but Robin Froerer said, they sell a lot of dresses and clothes for special occasions such as family reunions, weddings, school reunions and other occasions nice clothes are still needed for. Nyssa is also somewhat traditional in that residents tend to dress up for church, and will buy their Sunday clothes at Mint Alley.
"And our people like to have a reason to dress up, and often wish they had more reason to," Colleen Froerer said.
Although Mint Alley's official birthday is in June, because Robin Froerer is busy with her family's asparagus farming business from April through June, the business has its annual birthday sale in July.
"We're the only dress shop in the world who sells asparagus," Colleen Froerer said.
"A little bit of everything, including asparagus," Robin added.
They have not had a formal celebration for Mint Alley's 21st birthday, but Robin Froerer said maybe on its 35th birthday, if they are still open.
Still both Colleen and Robin Froerer said it is nice Mint Alley has been around so long, and is actually one of the oldest businesses in Nyssa, even if it is only 21.
Robin Froerer said if all goes well, Mint Alley will stay open to see its 35th birthday because the Froerer's "are in it for the long haul."
Only when it isn't any fun anymore, Froerer said, will she consider closing the business, but so far that hasn't happened.
She said the past few years have been especially fun and exciting for them, as more people who have driven by stop in for the first time.
"I guess that's what 21 years is," she said. "It's long enough for all those people who have driven by for years to finally stop because they have the time."
