By Bailey Coyle, Fox23 News
COLLINSVILLE, Okla. — A Collinsville boutique is helping students say yes to prom without the price tag.
Caddy Corner Consignment and Boutique is offering free formal dresses for the entire month of January, giving students the chance to find a prom gown at no cost.
Owner Alison Mitchell says anyone can stop by the store and choose up to two dresses per person, completely free.
“Just come on in, pick two you like, and head on out with them,” Mitchell said.
The giveaway includes dozens of gently worn and designer dresses, some that originally sold for hundreds of dollars. Mitchell says the idea came after she attempted to consign formal dresses last year, but many went unclaimed.
“I had a lot left over, and nobody wanted to come pick them up,” Mitchell said. “So I thought, what if I just give them away for free?”
Mitchell says the goal is to remove financial barriers for students who may not be able to afford an expensive prom dress.
“I know a lot of people can’t afford these dresses,” she said. “I can’t imagine paying $800 for a Sherri Hill dress. I think it’s a great way to give back to the community and help those in need.”
In addition to giving dresses away, Caddy Corner is also accepting dress donations throughout January. Mitchell asks that donated dresses be clean and ready to wear, as they will go directly onto the sales floor.
“I’m not laundering any of them when they come in,” she said. “So please have them ready to go out the door.”
Shoppers looking to try on dresses are encouraged to wear leggings and tank tops for quick try-ons inside the store.
Any dresses left at the end of January will be donated to Prom Wishes Incorporated in Sperry, an organization that helps students attend prom.
Mitchell says she timed the giveaway to clear space ahead of the boutique’s four-year anniversary in March, and if the response is strong, she hopes to make it a recurring event.
“If people really like it, I’d love to do it again,” Mitchell said. “Just like our coat drive, it had a great response, and I plan to keep doing that year after year.”
