My Biz: Managing boutiques for all seasons

CEDAR RAPIDS - Lisa Pfeiffer has always enjoyed the variety of working in the retail world.

'Whether you work in a big box store or a smaller store, no day in the same in retail and I really enjoy that.”

As the manager of Four Seasons at Lindale Mall, Pfeiffer handles a different tasks on any given day, from working the cash register and sales floor to managing her team of co-workers.

'I am the team leader, the one who serves as the coordinator of everything going on in the store.”

Four Seasons - one of nine boutiques located throughout Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois - offers a variety of petite, misses and plus size fashions.

'Sometimes girlfriends - who are all different sizes - are out shopping together, and we can offer the opportunity to shop together in one store,” Pfeiffer said. 'We have the advantages of a department store in a much smaller setting, and a small-town customer-service feel.”

Four Seasons was started 53 years ago in Geneseo, Illinois, and its headquarters remains there today. Pfeiffer has been with the company for the last four years, and manages the Cedar Rapids store as well as the Iowa City store, located in the Old Capitol Town Center.

'There is a very distinct feel in our Old Capitol store,” she said, noting that is where they carry Juniors fashions in order to cater to the younger demographic in that community.

The notable differences between stores, said Pfeiffer, are a direct reflection of the company's ability to stay in business for more than five decades.

'It's great to see the store evolve into what's new,” she said. 'We have great buyers who are always on top of the latest fashions, and keep the store moving in a fun direction.”

The Cedar Rapids location, Pfeiffer said, carries everything from career wear to casual clothing.

'We have everything from jeans to dresses,” she said. 'And we also have a lot of clothing that caters to traveling.”

Pfeiffer said customers are often surprised by Four Seasons' selection of purses, totes, and suitcases. Vera Bradley - Pfeiffer's personal favorite in-store brand - is a popular label at both the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City stores.

Pfeiffer said spring is an especially fun time to work in the store, as they get ready for warm-weather fashions and events like Mother's Day, wedding seasons, graduation, and summer trips.

'I have wonderful, experienced salespeople here,” Pfeiffer added. 'They know our customers and what they like. Sometimes they even remember what they've bought in the past, and can help customers put outfits together with those ideas in mind.”