Barbara, paint the town red!

Business Blog by Liz Ramos

6/26/2019

These blogs are my favorite to do!

As most of you know I am new to Kingsville. I am still finding out about the things that go on around town, the businesses that are available, and the people who live here. Each time I drive down 14th street in Kingsville I notice something new. This month I just realized we have a Popeyes, even though I do not eat there and never will. Every time I drive by 817 S. 14th Street I imagine I am driving by a tuxedo store. I never realized that this place also carries formal gowns for women. The word around town is that the customer service has not been the best, though I take all those types of rumors lightly and I try for myself.

Within the past week I noticed a new Facebook page called Formal Occasions For U. As far as I was aware, a lady was revamping a new place for ladies’ formal wear. “Great! Now I do not have to travel to Corpus or Brownsville to shop for that!” I was able to track her down and ask her questions about the business. I explained to her about my perception about the outside, “I thought this was more of a men’s establishment.” Barbara Pate, the new owner of the women’s side, explained that it had always been formal wear for both men and women. Barbara is investing herself into changing the way the outside and inside the business looks. From the pictures I have seen on Facebook, the inside walls were painted a coral green. From a fashion standpoint (I also developed film way back in the day and realize color and light matter!), this is not an easy color to compete with white wedding gowns and formal wear as it will not show off the true colors of the fabric. She is changing the walls to white. She explained a little of the history of the store to me and we conversed about future possibilities.

She wants the people of Kingsville to spend our money locally and is offering a place with new staff and new changes to accomplish those goals. Future plans are to offer a space to provide hair and nail services for both women and men for their special occasion. She also offers all the small stuff, such as ties, tiaras, veils, pins, pillows, and accessories for all occasions. Her ultimate goals is to be a one-stop-shop experience for all event needs. She showed me around the store and we looked at all the different types of formal wear. She carries wedding gowns, prom and ball gowns, kids’ formal gowns, outfits for baptisms and church gatherings. There was an array of different styles for all types of women and young adults. The store also offers alterations and dry cleaning. She hopes with the new opening that Kingsville will be proud to shop there instead of surrounding cities. She seems to be dedicated to providing excellent customer service and a personalized experience.

There is a lack of cross-marketing within businesses in Kingsville. Now is the opportunity to do so. Barbara Pate is looking for local business owners to offer services such as cakes, flowers, events, decorations to cross-market with. This takes the headache out of planning for events! Wouldn’t that be neat? A future bride would be to look through portfolios of cake businesses, flower businesses, or local artists who decorate for such events? I am going to plug Ashley’s cakes and bakes because her work is absolutely beautiful. Flowers with Attitude should also bring down a portfolio with contact information. We have such amazing talent in Kingsville. Ya’ll should cross-market. If anyone is interested in this venture, please contact Barbara Pate via Facebook page, Formal Occasions For U.

Formal Occasions For U will open revamped on July 1st. I implore the people of Kingsville to come take a gander at the new space. I hope that the fresh coat of paint brings her new blessed beginnings. Barbara has been a resident of Kingsville for four years. Let’s show her some love! Say hi to Barbara and tell her Kooky Kingsville sent you. Support and shop local!