Four Seasons changing under new ownership

When Heather and Travis Blake took ownership of Four Seasons Apparel and More from Jaala and Jeremiah Miller at the beginning of April, it was a bit like returning home for Heather, who has had many connections with the store beginning back when she took part on the Bluejay softball, basketball and volleyball teams prior to graduating in 2005 The store was founded in 1976 by Tom and Cindy Piche, who operated it for decades before selling it to the Millers in 2014.

Heather says she feels a strong association with the business because not only did her aunts

Linda Ziemke and LuAnn Anderson play for the 4-Seasons softball team in the 1980s, the Piches’ daughter Angie coached her in Community Ed softball and Jane Bartelt’s daughter Jayme coached her fastpitch summer team. She says the Piches and Bartelts have been great family friends, and Heather has many memories of being at the store visiting Jane and Cindy, buying tennis shoes and Bluejay gear.

Shortly after graduating, while in her 20s, Heather even had a part-time job at the store, which has been in the same location at 124 North State Street in Waseca’s downtown since its inception.

“Next year will be the store’s fiftieth anniversary,” she notes with excitement. 

“There will be a learning curve,” she observes. “I want to figure out what the needs are as we

return to something closer to the original model of the business.” She makes the observation that the Millers added an online store, brought new technology and expanded the equipment for creating custom apparel. She calls attention to some remodeling and improvements to the building done by the Millers during their ownership, saying they really did a nice job updating the store.

Heather says she intends to reinstate the original company name, “4-Seasons Athletics,” while increasing the stock she carries of sporting goods and coming to a better understanding of the steps she can take to keep more in town.

“For most of my life,” she comments, “4-Seasons Athletics was the place to go for uniforms, sports attire and custom clothing.”

She points out the store has an easily accessed location with curbside parking.

Already on display is custom wear with the colors and designs to show support of teams at all area schools including NRHEG, WEM and JWP.

A lifelong resident of the Waseca area, Heather is a member on the Bluejay Boosters, Bluejay

Fastpitch and Waseca Lakeside Club. She is a past board member of the Waseca Wrestling Club.

Heather says she is already beginning to make connections with local schools, community education departments and associations to see what needs Four Seasons can meet for them. She says the screen printing equipment used by the Piches in their business is still there, and she hopes to make increasing use of it to personalize items to meet customer needs.

She admits it may take a while to change people’s mindset away from going directly to a big-name store in another town when they need athletic wear, but she also believes business will grow as people discover the personal service and community connection Four Seasons Athletics will provide.

“Waseca is a very supportive community that comes together in both good times and bad,” she observes. “I think everyone wants to see that sense of community stay strong, so they want to see local businesses thrive and keep their money working locally.”

Four Seasons’ hours of operation are now from noon until 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

“I really invite people to stop by, see what we have to offer, and share any information about their needs and interests,” she says. “We’re ready to be flexible, and to respond to people’s needs.”