J Marie's Formal Affairs

J Marie's Formal Affairs was opened in downtown Chaffee, Missouri, about a year ago by two good friends Jodie Schott and Kim Kluesner.

"Jodie has had the flower shop, J Marie's Flowers and Boutique, for about six years," says Kluesner. "We've been friends for many years and have worked together a lot decorating for weddings. We just kept thinking that a store like this would work here."

The two stores sit side by side and are a one-stop shop for wedding and prom needs.

"We have everything from jewelry and shoes to go with the dresses as well as mother-of-the-bride dresses, mother-of-the-groom-dresses, bridesmaids dresses and tuxedo rental," Kluesner says.

The bridal and prom store offers a wide variety of gowns and dresses not typically found in this area.

Kim Kluesner, left, and Jodie Schott, owners of J Marie's Formal Affairs, pose for a photo in Chaffee, Missouri.Glenn Landberg

"We carry bridal gowns by Maggie Sottero, Sottero & Midgley, Madison James, Justin Alexander, Christina Wu, Allure Bridal and Enzani Bridal," Kluesner says.

The selection of prom dresses runs deep as well, with the store carrying dresses by nearly a dozen different companies.

"To my knowledge, we are the only ones in this area that carry prom dresses by Prima Vera Couture," Kluesner says.

The store also offers special services not always found at other formal shops.

"We register the dress once it's been purchased, so it can't be sold to another girl for the same prom," Kluesner says. "And we've always customized the corsages next door at the flower shop. Girls can bring their dresses in to get a perfect match."

Kim Kluesner, left, and Jodie Schott, owners of J Marie's Formal Affairs, pose for a photo Saturday, June 4, 2016 in Chaffee, Missouri.Glenn Landberg

Kim Kluesner, left, and Jodie Schott, owners of J Marie's Formal Affairs, pose for a photo Saturday, June 4, 2016, in Chaffee, Missouri.Glenn Landberg

J Marie's pulls customers from a large area, according to Kluesner.

"We've had girls come from over two hours away in Illinois as well as from the St. Louis area," she says.

Customer service is a priority with the staff at the shop.

"We're in a small town and it's very friendly here," Kluesner says. "We stress customer service very hard. We want it to be a good experience to shop here. We tell the girls who shop here, 'Don't buy the dress if it's not the dress for you.' We want them to walk out of here loving every inch of how they look in the dress they chose."

Future plans for the formal shop include adding to the inventory, but not changing the location.

"The building we're in was an old ice cream and soda shop back in the '40s, '50s and '60s. We've really worked hard to preserve the integrity of the building, and we plan to stay," Kluesner says.