Once an educator, always a learner

Sue Grossardt

Contributor

March 5, 2024

SHAWANO — For 32 years, Ann Lenss worked in the Green Bay Area Public School District — most recently as principal at Baird Elementary School, a school on the city’s east side.

Lenss hung up her educator administrator hats last June — a move she admits came with a few tears.

“I’m going to miss my babies and all of the people I worked with — the biggest thing I miss is the social aspect,” she said.

But Lenss said her joy of learning continues — now as owner of The Ultimate Closet located at 146 S. Main St. in Shawano.

New to the world of small business ownership, Lenss said she knew there was a lot she needed to learn as she embarked upon her new endeavor.

“I would visit The Ultimate Closet location in Green Bay and one day, (I had a conversation) with the owner,” she said. “I said, ‘I just love your store.’ And she said, ‘well, why don’t you buy it?’ I said to her, ‘Are you serious?’ She said ‘yes, I’m serious. I want to retire.'”

Lenss said she went home that day and told her husband she wanted to buy a boutique and asked him what he thought.

“He said, ‘it doesn’t matter what I think, you are going to do this,'” she said.

Lenss said her husband’s response was consistent with her approach to all things.

“I believe when you have a positive attitude, you can do anything,” she said. “So, I said, ‘I can do this. I’m going to do this.'”

And that’s what Lenss did.

The journey
The notion of owning her own business, Lenss said, was not an impulsive one.

“This did not happen overnight,” she said. “(My husband and I) have been on this journey for the last three years — looking for space in Shawano. We came close to buying other buildings, but we got outbid.

It was at this point that Lenss said she decided to lease instead of purchase.

From there, she obtained a small business loan, consulted with an accountant and sought after the ideal location.

“It was a lot of new learning, but I have always prided myself on being a learner,” she said. “I taught others and now it was time for me.”

Lenss said she, along with her two daughters who also model various clothing lines for local events like ones sponsored by the Shawano Women’s Club, have always had a love for fashion.

“People have told me I have a great fashion sense,” she said.

And though this is Lenss’ first go as an entrepreneur, the Pulaski native said she comes from a family of small business owners, namely farming.

The Ultimate Closet carries a variety of clothing brands, including Tribal and Jag jeans and Canadian brand, Esqualo. Sue Grossardt Photo

“My dad was a farmer for years, and that small business turned into a big business,” she said. “My brother took it over for him. I learned so much about hard work and a good work ethic from him along with networking — all of those great things I can use while building a business.”

Historic look, feel
The property, Lenss said, has had a variety of different tenants over the years.

“The building was previously Citizens State Bank, then it was a bar, then a spa,” she said.

Lenss said the owner of the building obtained grant money from the city, which stipulates the structure be restored to its original state during renovations — requiring certain basic structural components be maintained.

“Our 20-foot ceilings with all but one of the original tiles is one of many examples of keeping the original look along with the front of the building,” she said.

One of the dressing rooms, Lenss said, is a renovated vault.

She said they added contemporary lighting and transom windows to complete the space’s overall design.

With doors opening last month, Lenss said The Ultimate Closet’s customer base is yet to be determined.

“When I thought about doing this, I had to evaluate if it would be best to keep the location in its current spot (on Green Bay’s east side) or would there be a market in Shawano?” she said. “I did the homework. I spoke with the other store owners in both Shawano and Green Bay, and I talked to some customers, too.”

Being located on Main Street in Shawano, Lenss said neighboring businesses both mentor her and share their perspective on business flow in the city’s downtown.

“Everyone said once April comes and there are Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce events and people will be coming back to their cottages, business will explode,” she said.

Customer feedback, Lenss said, has been overwhelmingly positive.

“So far, they are happy there is a boutique here,” she said. “We are always open to customer feedback.”

As The Ultimate Closet settles into its downtown Shawano location, Lenss said there are thoughts of adding a men’s clothing line.

Though at 1,600 square feet, the Shawano location is smaller than its former 2,500-square-foot Green Bay space, Lenss said the property’s 20-foot ceilings, along with both the natural and contemporary lighting, make the space feel open and airy.

She said she plans to get involved in many of the events hosted by the chamber, as well as host her own special events.

“We plan to invite various groups of women and do our own modeling of our own merchandise,” she said. “(We also plan to) host an educators’ day-out (event) designed especially for teachers, staff and administrators so they are among the first to see our new lines.”

Lenss said The Ultimate Closet is also participating in the Shawano Women’s Club fashion show this year.

The Ultimate Closet carries a variety of clothing brands, including Tribal and Jag jeans and Canadian brand, Esqualo.

The store also carries Ambre oils, Coventry rings and French Cande necklaces.

“It’s all about feeling good about yourself, and if we can make someone feel better about the way they look through fashion, that brings us a lot of satisfaction,” she said.

Check out The Ultimate Closet’s Facebook page for more.