CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 39 A Grand Affair Tucked into a small shopping strip on Fayetteville's north side, you'll find An Affair to Remember. Not only is the store a favorite with brides, but it is almost always buzzing with prom and pageant queens checking out the latest gowns from two of the most famous formal designers in America: Sherri Hill and Tony Bowls. is is prob- ably the top reason owner Kathy Keefe Jensen has a bridal salon, which is by appointment only. "We feel that every bride deserves their own time to be able to enjoy the moment," said Jensen. e Fayetteville native started her business in 2005 with longtime friend turned business partner Haroula Karmazyn. "I had always wanted to open a bridal business," affirmed Jens- en. When both army wives returned to Fayetteville when their husbands re- tired, they started a tuxedo store and it grew faster than they ever expected. So fast, that the Ramsey Street shop sees brides, prom girls and pageant queens from all over the state and southeast. "e most fulfilling thing is putting someone in a dress and that they realize they're beautiful… no mat- ter what size they are. e look on their face when they try on the 'right' dress for their body type is priceless." Jensen and Karmazyn love to get clients "out of the box" and allow them to realize they're beautiful. For her daughter Kristina's Boutique, located in the renovated Pizza Hut location on Ra- eford Road, is mostly prom and pageant wear for children on up to adults, but they do have a section of select wedding gowns. Twenty-five years ago when owner Betty Reeves' daughter Kristina (also the shop's namesake) began com- peting in pageants, she realized the high cost of dresses and sought a solution. Why not start her own store catering to the needs of potential queens? Betty, who at the time was the office manager for Cape Fear Valley Hospital's NICU, started her first store two decades ago in the Bordeaux Shopping Center. From there, they moved to Tallywood and are now in their third location. "It's a much Betty Reeves of Kristina's Boutique Styles of Yesterday & Today Hosted by Child Advocacy Center of Fayetteville Saturday, March 21 at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. • Sunday, March 22 at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Crown Center Ballroom • 333 E. Mountain Drive • Fayetteville, NC Tickets: $39 • VIP Tickets: $64 (Limited Quantity Available.) • (Facility fee and Ticketmaster fees will be applied.) For more information call (910) 486-9700 or visit childadvocacycenter.com Recommended for children 6 and up ® ® Thank you to all our generous sponsors. Please visit www.childadvocacycenter.com for a complete list. American Girl Fashion Show is licensed from American Girl Programs. Copyright © 2015 American Girl. All rights reserved. All American Girl marks are trademarks of American Girl. while helping others in your community! Joining hands with 19 community agencies, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) offers a safe and child-friendly place to interview, investigate and provide support for abused children. The CAC also provides prevention education for parents, professionals and agencies in our community. We look to a future where all children live in a safe and nurturing environment free from abuse. THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: PLATINUM SPONSORS BENEFACTORS Anna C. Cole, LPC • Brown & Associates Investment Services • Cape Fear Valley Health Kids First Pediatrics of Raeford & Fayetteville • Fayetteville New Car Dealers Association Advised Fund Deborah & Larry Teasley • • Margaret R. Russ • BB&T • Joyce & Howard Loughlin Dr. Wes & Lucy Jones • Robin & Debbie Jenkins • Breezewood Healthcare & Aesthetics • June Aysse Timothy D. Edwards, Attorney at Law • Short Stop • Systel Business Equipment • Cape Fear Discount Drugs BE GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS Celebrations Weddings & Events • Centerplate Catering • CTS Cleaning Systems, Inc. Highland Pediatric Dental, Yvette McAlister Stokes, DDS, PA • JEB Designs, Inc. Once Upon A Child/Plato's Closet/Clothes Mentor • Owen's & Bordeaux Florist • Sykes • Up & Coming Weekly PLATINUM SPONSORS THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS while helping others in your community! Joining hands with 19 community agencies, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) offers a safe and child-friendly place to interview, investigate and provide support for abused children. The CAC also provides prevention education for parents, professionals and agencies in our community. We look to a future where all children live in a safe and nurturing environment free from abuse. THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: PLATINUM SPONSORS BENEFACTORS Anna C. Cole, LPC • Brown & Associates Investment Services • Cape Fear Valley Health Kids First Pediatrics of Raeford & Fayetteville • Fayetteville New Car Dealers Association Advised Fund Deborah & Larry Teasley • • Margaret R. Russ • BB&T • Joyce & Howard Loughlin Dr. Wes & Lucy Jones • Robin & Debbie Jenkins • Breezewood Healthcare & Aesthetics • June Aysse Timothy D. Edwards, Attorney at Law • Short Stop • Systel Business Equipment • Cape Fear Discount Drugs BE GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS Celebrations Weddings & Events • Centerplate Catering • CTS Cleaning Systems, Inc. Highland Pediatric Dental, Yvette McAlister Stokes, DDS, PA • JEB Designs, Inc. Once Upon A Child/Plato's Closet/Clothes Mentor • Owen's & Bordeaux Florist • Sykes • Up & Coming Weekly CHAMPION BENEFACTORS while helping others in your community! Joining hands with 19 community agencies, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) offers a safe and child-friendly place to interview, investigate and provide support for abused children. The CAC also provides prevention education for parents, professionals and agencies in our community. We look to a future where all children live in a safe and nurturing environment free from abuse. THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: PLATINUM SPONSORS BENEFACTORS Anna C. Cole, LPC • Brown & Associates Investment Services • Cape Fear Valley Health Kids First Pediatrics of Raeford & Fayetteville • Fayetteville New Car Dealers Association Advised Fund Deborah & Larry Teasley • • Margaret R. Russ • BB&T • Joyce & Howard Loughlin Dr. Wes & Lucy Jones • Robin & Debbie Jenkins • Breezewood Healthcare & Aesthetics • June Aysse Timothy D. Edwards, Attorney at Law • Short Stop • Systel Business Equipment • Cape Fear Discount Drugs BE GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS Celebrations Weddings & Events • Centerplate Catering • CTS Cleaning Systems, Inc. Highland Pediatric Dental, Yvette McAlister Stokes, DDS, PA • JEB Designs, Inc. Once Upon A Child/Plato's Closet/Clothes Mentor • Owen's & Bordeaux Florist • Sykes • Up & Coming Weekly GOLD SPONSORS better location, more visible from the road," affirmed Betty. Betty's granddaughter serves as the mascot for the store and has also been crowned Baby Miss Fayetteville. "She loves dresses and visits oen. She is our mas- cot. When customers come in she always asks, 'Can I help you find a dress?'" said Betty while giggling. While Betty's former career with NICU was extremely de- manding, she maintained that serving brides and pageant girls is glamorous, but tough. "I only had to please my boss at the hospital. Here, I have to please everyone." Our local bridal businesses similar, yet all have unique quali- ties that set them apart. But one thing they do share is the fact that the brilliant women (plus Garry) who drive these establishments all share the same notion… to serve the business of the bride. CV

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