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 By K Reka Badger
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A festive reminder of the old world traditions that distinguish Solvang (and place it squarely on the map of tourist destinations) shines in the windows of a venerable store on Copenhagen Avenue. Elna’s Dress Shop—62 years old and still going strong—offers not only contemporary fashions and quality accessories, but a fine line of its original stock-in-trade: handmade Danish costumes. Elna Larsen, who founded her eponymous dress shop in 1942, initially designed and stitched all the costumes and colorful sweaters herself. As her business grew, she hired seamstresses to help keep up with the demand for the sturdy jumpers, aprons, hats, and snow white shirts worn by local Danes whenever they gathered to celebrate their heritage. Throughout the decades, Elna Larsen played an active role in community life and could often be found tatting Danish lace at the Elverhoj Museum. Now 97 years old, Elna still lives in Solvang and takes great pride in the enduring success of the business she created. “When we bought it,” remembers current owner Bob Manning, “Elna said, ‘I was afraid you’d change the name.’ I said, ‘Why would I want to change it? It has a nice local trade and it’s known all over the Valley. “She’s a very nice lady,” Manning adds, “and pleased as punch that we kept the name.” Up until very recently, Elna visited her old shop at least once a week, just to keep an eye on things. Bob’s wife, Sue, worked at Elna’s Dress Shop for about a year before the couple opened their first clothing store, Sue’s Place, in Lompoc, in 1997. At that time, Trace and Susie Eubanks owned Elna’s Dress Shop, but when the Mannings acquired the shop three year’s ago, they bought it from Anne Trompeter, and became the latest in a succession of owners who never considered changing the name. Sue Manning brings 40 years of fashion sales and buying experience to the running of the couple’s two stores, while Bob, who recently retired from a management position, contributes a knack for numbers. “My wife takes care of all the buying and selling,” Bob admits. “I take care of the financial and business end.” “I go to market with Sue,” he continues, “and we work within our budget. It’s really her call on the fashion and getting what our customers like.” When the Mannings took possession of Elna’s Dress Shop they made a few cosmetic changes, but kept the soul of the store intact. “We painted it, put down new carpet, moved the counter back to open it up and make more room,” Bob explains. “We carry more accessories and offer a broader price range and different styles—of course, we still carry the Danish costumes, because we felt that was important.”  The Mannings keep three local seamstresses busy making the bright green, blue, red, and pink jumpers, beribboned aprons, shorts, skirts, hats, and hair pieces. The costumes even include hang tags showing they’re made exclusively for Elna’s Dress Shop. Hems are intentionally left wide so parents can let them down as their children grow, and all the gala garments are crafted in the Danish tradition of making things to last. As for the rest of the ever-changing inventory, Bob says, “We have all kinds of clothes, missy sizes and sports wear...The tourists want sporty, light and fun, and locals want something they can wear everyday.” When asked how he feels about spending so much time around women’s clothing, he laughs, “I have no problem with that. Never have.” After 17 moves prompted by his career, Bob emphasizes that he and Sue have no plans to wander any farther afield. “We’re never gonnna leave,” he declares. “We love the Central Coast area and we’re happy to be here. There isn’t any place better than this.” Happy transplants who have put down serious roots in the Valley, Bob and Sue Manning have stepped up to care for Elna’s Dress Shop, a beloved Solvang landmark. They have proven their mettle, and delighted the community, by keeping the front window stocked with colorful, beribboned clothing just made for celebrating all things Danish.
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Copyright 2004, Inside Santa Ynez Valley Magazine, All Rights Reserved |
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