Taking a trip on U.S. Highway 218 to St. Ansgar, to the Bridal Theatre located at 139 W. Fourth St. is truly a unique shopping experience.

This business has been in operation since 1979 in a former movie theater. The original rocking chair theater seats are still in the store and are available for patrons to relax in. This store with its rounded ceiling and tropical dcor is packed full of gowns for prom, mother of the bride, and of course brides.

This is a one-stop store for those that are getting married or going to a special event such as prom. Shoes, shawls, Italian hosiery, wedding invitations, candles, gifts for groomsmen and bridesmaids, flower girl dresses, ring bearer suits along with the satin pillow to hold the ring on are available here. The groom, groomsmen, and prom goer can be totally outfitted with tuxes from cufflinks to highly polished shoes.

The current owners of the Bridal Theatre are Anita Sponheim and Nancy Bell. They purchased the store from the original owners, Ruth Libersky and Marilyn Edgington in 1979. The original owners had a bridal shop in Lyle before they moved their business to the movie theater. Sponheim and Bell worked at the shop prior to purchasing it in 1992.

The women are attentive to the customers and work one on one with each of them. On this particular day, Donna Navratoli from Northwood, Iowa, is trying on a two-piece pink bridesmaid dress. Anita Sponheim was adjusting the hem on Navratoli's dress.

In another part of the store, 17-year-old Bridget Quinn of Newman, Iowa was trying on gown after gown for the prom. Her mother, Debbie, and younger sisters Kiera, 13 and Kade 5 were offering their advice. Bridget wasn't sure about the apple green, beaded spaghetti strapped gown, that set off her fair complexion. Later she was trying on a rich beaded off the shoulder blue gown, that need to be taken in.

"We do free alterations on the gowns that are not marked down as sales items. The trends seem to be lilacs and pastels, but there is no set color. For shoes, the Cinderella slipper that is see through and is very elegant is most popular. Some women go for comfort and wear flip-flops instead of high heels. It really is up to the individual," Bell said.

The Bridal Theatre is extremely busy this time of year with weddings and proms. The gowns that are on display were purchased in Chicago last fall for the spring market. Sponheim and Bell travel to Chicago each fall for this buying trip. One item that is new this year for weddings is a streamer that can be tossed at the bride and groom and flings back to the thrower. This may be used when the couple exits the church and can be brought to the reception and hung up as a decoration.

"It's just something different than throwing rice or bird seed. The streamers are a fun item," Bell said.

Customers come from all over Iowa and southern Minnesota to the Bridal Theatre. Sara Randall and her companion, Tammy Kemmett drove more than 70 miles from Lake City to purchase a wedding dress for Randall.

"We normally would shop in Rochester, but there are no stores that sell bridal gowns for larger women," Kemmet said.

Randall had a substantial selection of plus-sized gowns to choose from. The Bridal Theatre has a special area that is on a rise with mirrors placed so a woman can see how her gown looks from all angles.

Sheila Donnelly can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:newsroom@austindailyherald.com