Kristen's Kloset Gives Back to Local Students Once Again

It's a rite of passage – prom night when details like the dress and everything else have to be, well you know, perfect.

Kristen's Kloset is doing just that once again, honoring a talented local DePaolo Middle School student who was killed in a 2004 car accident, and providing cost-effective dresses to help make sure teenage girls have a perfect prom night.

Southington Youth Services said the program is designed as both a memorial to Kristen Warner and a constructive use of new and gently worn formal gowns available at steep discounts for wear at the upcoming, momentous 2011 senior prom event.

Southington Youth Services sponsors the program with the intention of providing necessary essentials to students in need. Everything from gowns, shoes, jewelry accessories and evening purses are available at affordable prices.

Items can be purchased outright, or if you have something in your closet you don't want and would like to donate, a simple exchange voucher for a similar item is tavailable.

The closer to graduation, the less there will be to choose from, as evidenced by opening day, last Saturday, when lines formed out the door during the 10 a.m. opening.

While there is no clothing at the store for boys, proceeds go into a fund that helps eligible young men rent tuxedos and pay for prom tickets, said Youth Services Director Susan Saucier.

Kristen's Kloset's the storefront, at 2211 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike in the Verona Pizza plaza, is only temporary however.

"Each year Southington Youth Services solicits for an available space," says volunteer Jackie Willametz. "The space this year is ample. With four double dressing rooms girls aren't squeezed into tight spaces as they had been before. We never know where the store will be. Every year is different."

When the three-month period is up, the dresses need to be placed in storage. Last year, the North Center School served as storage place for the dresses.

When prom season ends Kristen's Kloset inventory will need to find a new space. North Center School is likely to be unavailable because the building could be in the process of being renovated as municipal offices – but only if the site plan receives approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

"We are currently looking for a space approximately the size of a one-bay garage," said Saucier. "All remaining inventory will be bagged and stored for next year."

The entire effort is volunteer run, including the in-store set up and breakdown, two seamstress operators for minor alterations, and a crew exceeding nine to cover retail hours. High school seniors come from all over the state to hunt for the perfect dress.

As much as social networking is popular, students still revel in old fashioned face-to-face networking, especially when the occasion calls for celebrating the closure of high school status and initiating what lies beyond – college and a big wide world full of opportunity and what will be the next step to adulthood.

Price points for dresses are $25 for used items or $35 for new dresses, still a bargain compared to retail prices. Full length to short fashions, sequin embellishments, low and open back s fashions are now in stock.

Proceeds will also go towards prom tickets and other related expenses. Store hours are Tuesdays 2 to 6 p.m., Thursdays 2 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information or to donate, call 860-276-6281.