Mar 16, 2009

Boutique owner combines keen business sense, friendly mannerBy LaTina EmersonChronicle.Augusta.com

Susan Lanier, the owner of Susan’s, 457 Highland Ave. in Surrey Center, goes above and beyond to give her customers a dose of Southern hospitality.

Employee Sherry Sims has worked at Susan’s for 15 years and was a customer first. She says working for owner Susan Lanier “is like working with family.”

“It looks like Lucille Ball,” declares Susan Lanier, and she smiles approvingly at her longtime customer Marjorie Adams, who models a stylish, sheer black and white polka-dot blouse over a black tank top.

Several employees and customers gather at the dressing room mirror and nod in agreement at the garment patterned after attire worn by the actress. Mrs. Lanier checks the fit of the top and sends Mrs. Adams back to the dressing room to try on a new outfit.

This is the kind of personal service the owner of Susan’s, 457 Highland Ave. in Surrey Center, has given her customers for 25 years. The petite Southern belle has dressed many Augusta women from head to toe.

“We consider ourselves a specialty store or boutique. We like to have unique things that they don’t carry in department stores or chains,” Mrs. Lanier said.

She recalled a buying trip to New York City, where the elevator operator asked what floor she wanted. She replied “Eighteen” in her Southern drawl. She said everyone in the elevator immediately turned around to stare at her when they heard her accent, but Mrs. Lanier didn’t mind. This upbeat, friendly Southern flavor is part of her success.

The 68-year-old goes above and beyond to give her customers a dose of Southern hospitality. She takes such care that “she won’t sell two good friends the same thing.” Mrs. Lanier is so acquainted with her clientele that when an outfit comes into the store, she calls customers if the garment fits their style. Before the start of each season, she sends out care packages to loyal customers who live outside the metro area so they can preview the latest fashions. They can purchase what they like and send the rest back, Mrs. Lanier explained.

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