Bells are Ringing at The Loft Bridal and Design in Downtown Lakeville

There are countless people living in the community—civic leaders, longtime residents, small business owners—with interesting stories that readers of Lakeville Patch are curious about.

Sara Nivala is the owner of The Loft Bridal and Design, a fashion-forward boutique along Lakeville's Holyoke Avenue, offering a unique bridal attire shopping experience that's also become an institution for folks living in the city's historic downtown. Lakeville Patch caught up with Nivala to learn more about her business and how she's made it a success.

Lakeville Patch: "When did you open The Loft Bridal and Design and how’s business?"

Sara Nivala: "I opened four years ago and things are going well. We’re starting to get busier and busier. I think every year we change our business model a bit based on what works and what doesn’t work with the changing economy. We started out with two floors in the shop: The floral and decor section was downstairs where we had a design studio in the back. My business partner now runs that part of the business from her home to save on overhead, and I run the bridal shop upstairs. We sublet the main level to Sacks in the City. So upstairs now I focus just on gowns for brides, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride. I also have accessories and do some custom designing to make the gowns more personalized."

Lakeville Patch: "How did you get into the bridal business?"

Nivala: "My business partner and I had both worked in the wedding industry. I’ve done it since high school when I worked in a bridal shop. I’ve also worked in the financial and housing industry, but all along I was also doing wedding planning, flowers and decor on the side. When the housing economy slowed, I decided to just go for it, and my business partner and I decided to make our passion for wedding design a full time job."

Lakeville Patch: "So how has the economy affected weddings? Are people cutting corners?"

Nivala: "When the economy first took a dive, I’d say people started waiting longer to pick out their dresses. Before, people weren’t as concerned about price. They’d get engaged and go right out and pick out a dress even a year before the wedding. But with the bad economy, people need to take longer, and they need us to work within their budget. So what I’ve done is start carrying some more affordable lines that look fabulous, but give you more for your money without compromising on style and quality. I’ve found that even brides with bigger budgets like to find ways to get more for less money. But this year, it’s getting back to normal. More brides are buying sooner and wanting us to take more time with them to make sure it’s the right style and fit, and asking us to customize their look. They’re going back to the ‘full-day’ experience."

Lakeville Patch: "Where do you get your gowns?"

Nivala: "There are designers all over the country, and the gowns are manufactured all over the world. You can find them online or by going to the Bridal Market, which is basically a big fashion trade show held each year in Chicago and New York. If no one in your area is carrying a particular designer, you can carry their line. Some designers don’t allow more than one shop in a particular state to sell their dresses. Not all of my designers do that. Some just ask for exclusivity in a 30 to 50 mile radius. I use about 7 or 8 designers, and they usually like for you to buy from them once or twice a year. So I pick out styles and sizes that people like, we measure and choose colors, and we order from there."

Lakeville Patch: "What's popular this year?"

Nivala: "I see a couple of things going on. I see the ball gown coming back, but more fitted through the bodice with a full skirt and lots of different layers. I’m also seeing layerings of different types of fabrics. Another style that’s in is the vintage look, which has really always been popular. But I think brides are also really into adding embellishments to their dresses; sashes, flowers and even unique head pieces for the ceremony, then afterward maybe removing the veil and having a more modern-looking hairpiece and fun-colored shoes."

 Lakeville Patch: "Do you ever get really off-the-wall gown requests?"

Nivala: "Well, I think I’m the only boutique in the state that carries a line called ‘Stephanie James Couture.’ She’s a tea-length vintage-inspired designer that does a lot of customizations to her dresses. One bride had me do all hot pink underneath with a black sash to match her hot pink and black hair. So as a small boutique bridal shop, I have found a niche doing fashion-forward designs. I also market myself that way, even though I do carry a full line of traditional gowns."

Lakeville Patch: "So why Lakeville?"

Nivala: "I moved here from Minneapolis after marrying someone from the area. There wasn’t a bridal shop in Lakeville and there was a real need for one. I knew it was a young city with two huge high schools that would be a great base for me. I knew the girls would buy their prom dresses, go off to college and then come back to plan their weddings here. After four years I’m really starting to see that happen. They love coming back and having the shop right here in town. I also know that people in Lakeville are really loyal to their town, and want to support their local businesses."

For more information, visit The Loft's website, or call (952) 469-LOFT (5638).