PROM DRESSES GALORE

Teens shop from 500 dresses with help from Bright Futures

By Nia Cruz

For Washington Daily News 

It's that time of year again for Beaufort County teen girls to look forward to their big night of making lasting memories with friends, dancing the night away, and most importantly, looking for that special dress they dream about. 

Bright Futures is turning those dreams into a reality by organizing a pop-up shop at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where girls can shop from a selection of 500 new or gently used dresses for $5 per dress. 

Bright Futures Coordinator, Ashley Padgett, said, “we are all here to make people feel great, smart and beautiful.” 

The pop-up shop also includes accessories like jewelry, shoes, and purses to complete their looks. “We have a lot of women and young ladies who bring their dresses and enjoy them being repurposed,” Padgett said. 

If you aren't looking for a repurposed dress, Bright Futures also has donated dresses from AVA Formals and Laney Bridal in Washington. 

“AVA Formals gives us so many brands of new dresses,” Padgett said and added that the store will provide more dresses. 

Northside High School student, Oliva Braddy, was pleasantly surprised by the amount of dresses and accessories to choose from.  “I definitely didn't think it would be like this. I thought there would be a few options but there's definitely a lot out there.” 

Braddy said the pop-up shop is great, because it allows her and other teen girls to shop for discounted dresses they may only wear once. 

“I’ve gotten a dress that was really expensive and only wore once,” Braddy said, “I was definitely happy when I heard about this, because I didn't think they would have as many as they did.”

Beaufort County Bright Futures Connections for Success will hold a pop-up shop on Feb. 28, March 14 and April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church (101 N. Bonner St., Washington).