By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES -For years, Sentiments, Inc. has been a place many women go in hopes of finding the perfect wedding dress. Now, the store is taking on a slightly new turn.
On Friday, the 30th grand opening of the year was held at Sentiments, located at 307 E. Main St., and new owner Marie Brown is very excited about her new journey in downtown Niles.
"I've always had an interest in weddings and I am very excited to be here in Niles," Brown said.
Brown took over ownership of the bridal shop when long-time owner Bernice Strotter announced that she was going to retire.
"Bernice prayed she would find the right person to take over the store. When she met Marie, she told me immediately that she found that person. Marie is a wonderful person and I have really enjoyed working with her," Dorothy Green, seamstress at Sentiments said.
While Brown has only been at Sentiments a short time, the changes have already been noticed, especially with the colorful displays in the front window.
"We hear great compliments about how wonderful the display is. There's so much color and it's very eye-catching," Chamber of Commerce President Ron Sather said.
Brown admitted she has new inventory, which not only includes bridal items, but evening gowns, pageant gowns and men's tuxedos, along with other clothing and accessories. She has added a jewelry case, which is filled with sparkling diamonds and pearls and Green still does alterations to any wedding dress or tux.
"We will even do alterations to dresses or tuxedos that were not purchased here. We also make alterations to any clothing item that needs it," Brown said.
Brown thanked her husband, Willie Brown, an employee with the City of Buchanan, for the many changes in the store and said that a lot of things wouldn't have been possible without the help of him.
"I have so many positive people behind me. It's been a wonderful experience so far," Brown said.
Brown came to Niles from Pearl City, Hawaii, which is not far from Pearl Harbor. She has four children and two grandchildren. Brown's sister, Minnie Warren, also owns her own business in Niles, MinTech, LLC.