Swindler fulfills fashion dream as new manager at Maurices

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When Amy Swindler was a teenager, she loved shopping at Maurices clothing store and dreamed of someday working there. On July 1, 2023, that dream expanded into an even better reality as Swindler took on the title of store manager and now works every day surrounded by beautiful clothing and a team of friendly, like-minded associates.

Swindler said the Pratt Maurices branch, part of a larger retail holding, originally was located in the 200 block of S. Main Street. It moved to the corner of 4th and Main (current Cathy's Closet location) in the 2000s, and then occupied a new store built in 2012 at the current location, 2010 E. First Street.

"I always admired Amy Rambatt when she was the Maurice's store manager in the early years," Swindler said. "She was always so stylish and put together. I wanted to be just like that."

Formerly employed in day care and then as an office manager for C.L. Meigs Insurance Agency (since 2019), Swindler said she began working part-time at Maurice's in the past year because she enjoyed the opportunity to make use of an amazing employee discount when buying clothes there.

"When the store manager position came open recently, I was like, why not?" Swindler said. "It's kind of my idea of a dream job."

Swindler said the clothing choices at Maurices reflect trending styles at competitive prices. A wide diversity of inventory caters to customers from early teens to middle age, with extended sizes and options for all body types.

"We've recently started carrying a new children's line of clothing for elementary-aged youth called Evsi," Swindler said. "It's very limited but hits a market that it is sometimes hard to find good quality clothing for."

Swindler invited area residents who may not have been in the Pratt Maurices store for some time to venture in and look around. A crew of nine trained stylists and associates are on hand to help customers find what looks best for each person and to help with special requests.

"Sometimes it takes another person's eye on a fashion item to help make that personal choice that will make the customer happy with what they want to have in their closets," Swindler said. "It's a store policy to have weekly fashion training meetings so we can best serve our customers and be knowledgeable about the products we carry."

In addition to women's clothing, Maurices offers holiday specials on home decor items or other home products. Swindler advised customers to join their Facebook page and watch social media announcements about those specials and also weekly sales.

The Pratt Maurices store is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Part-time positions are open at the store and Swindler said she welcomed applicants who might have a flair for fashion and like her, enjoy looking good and helping others find their style.