BLOOMING PRAIRIE – For the past 60 years, Harriet Ressler has outfitted the people of Blooming Prairie and surrounding communities with the latest fashions.

Monday, July 10, 2000

BLOOMING PRAIRIE – For the past 60 years, Harriet Ressler has outfitted the people of Blooming Prairie and surrounding communities with the latest fashions.

Ressler is the owner and manager of Harriet’s Dres-Wel on Main Street.

"We first opened as a ladies ready-to-wear," Ressler said. "We sold dresses and skirts. We always had everything but shoes."

At one point, Dres-Wel carried both men’s and women’s apparel, but acquired a larger selection of dress stock when Ressler’s husband died 14 years ago.

There also was a store with children’s clothes, Ressler said, but it closed 10 years ago.

Now, both stores sell only women’s clothes.

"We had to choose between coats and dress stock," Ressler said, explaining their decision on closing the children’s store. "We decided mother-of-the bride would be better and went into that a little deeper."

Dres-Wel has been a fixture on Main Street for its 60 years in business, previously located where the drugstore and Austin Clinic now operate.

Ressler said that the stock, like her store, has remained constant through the years.

"We sold a lot of sportswear and dresses for many years," she said. "You learn as you go what you can sell and what you can’t."

Sasser commented by phone Thursday about Dres-Wel’s stock, which includes dresses and suits, as well as jewelry.

"Our clothes are good quality," Sasser said. "We do not sell seconds or things that aren’t good brands."

Because of its well-known reputation, much of the clientele, who range in age from 20 on up, come from Rochester, and as far away as Iowa to search for bargains.

Dres-Wel, whose name was chosen in a contest when the store first opened, commemorated its 60th year in business with four days of special events recently.

Each day there was something different: selling Hershey’s bars with Harriet’s photo on the wrapper; serving a breakfast of fruit, rolls and coffee; and listening to the sounds of an old-time band.

Annette Sasser, Ressler’s niece, who assists in managing the store, explained why Dres Wel chose to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

"We figured this was a real milestone," she said. "How many people do you know who’ve been in the same business for 60 years?"