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With about 2 weeks left until Avonworth’s homecoming on October 12th, students are scrambling to figure out who to go with, where to eat, and most importantly what to wear. One step of that stress can be solved at Monroeville Mall and two sisters at AHS can help.
The Dress Shop, which is owned by the grandmother of Avonworth students Ava and Olivia Monkelis, is a special occasion dress business in Monroeville Mall, only about 40 minutes away from the Avonworth School District. The Dress Shop has homecoming and prom dresses with a variety of sizes and prices to cater to everyone’s preferences.
The current version of this store derived from a dream of a better future. The Monkelis’ grandfather, Joe DiRenzo, immigrated to the US from Italy in 1961. He had no money, and wasn’t able to speak English, but he was a gifted tailor. He continued to refine his skills in America and eventually opened up a tailoring shop in the early 80s. Success didn’t come without challenges, but at the height of his career he owned 7 different locations known under the name Top Hat Tuxedo. His wife joined him in his tailoring business, and as the world modernized, the business model shifted from tuxedos, to dresses, hence the current name of the store.
Ava and Olivia’s mother was always in their shop when she was growing up and even came up with the original name. They also spent many hours in the store throughout their childhood, and they find that they are more creative individuals as a result. Their grandmother always encouraged them to learn about the process of owning a business and how to sew, which, in turn, continually made them more and more excited for their future school dances.
Also, Ava, Olivia, and many of their close friends have seen firsthand how kind their grandma is to all of her customers. Jayla Jones, a senior at Avonworth, explains, “It’s a very welcoming store with great quality dresses and the staff and employees are very patient, helpful and knowledgeable.” She treats every person that comes into the store as a friend.
The Dress Shop is a great place to find the perfect homecoming dress. Avonworth student Jordyn Krist says, “There were a wide variety of dresses that came in different styles and sizes. The owner and her employees were kind and super helpful, finding me the perfect dress. In my opinion, it’s a 10/10 and I would highly recommend.”
This store is more than just a business, and is built on a foundation of perseverance, family, and the joy that comes with finding the perfect attire for life’s special moments.
Reporting by Harmony Karwoski
