Pop-up dress shop returns
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FAIRMONT-- Runway for Action-- Action169's pop-up prom rental shop-- is the perfect option for those looking for a chic, affordable dress option. What's more is that by renting a dress through the organization, young women are also supporting other women through the process.
Action169 is a Southern Minnesota-based organization that benefits women who have been through commercial sex exploitation and substance abuse. This is the third year that Action169 has held the pop-up dress shop. The first year was a one-day event at Fairmont High School and since then the organization has been able to use space at Five Lakes Centre in Fairmont.
The store's manager, Diana Bradley, said that this year they have 260 dresses, which is up from last year's offering.
"The majority come from Chicago or New York," Bradley said.
In 2020, Bradley said a high-end store in Manhattan donated a bunch of dresses to non-profit bridal boutique in Chicago, of which she was friends with the owner.
"They couldn't do anything with them, but told me to come pick them up. Honestly I didn't know what I would do with them but found that there was a need for them here," Bradley said.
Much of Runway for Action's inventory is still from that donation, but other dresses have been donated since. Bradley noted that many of the dresses have never been worn and still have the tags on them. In fact, a good number of them are designer dresses and have a retail value of anywhere from $500 to $2,700.
However, for just $52, students can rent a dress to wear to prom. That cost covers the rental and repair fee, which covers cleaning.
"We also have sponsors who sponsor the shop and the proceeds from that go to Action169, which supports women coming out of exploitation," Bradley said.
The shop is all-inclusive as it carries dresses from size 0 to 30. It also offers a wide variety of styles. There are more colorful, beaded dresses and also simpler sheaths.
"We have girls who come in and want glitter from head to toe and some who say that is not their jam," Bradley said.
Word of the pop-up dress shop and its mission has reached both far and wide. Bradley said last year the shop served students from 10 different high schools and that they're hoping to expand that this year.
"Last year we served high schools from Fulda to Albert Lea and from Swea City all the way up to Mankato," she said.
This year the store is even doing some mail orders for the first time.
Those who come in are aware of Action169's purpose with the shop and Bradley said they have been visiting area schools to spread their message as well.
"Some girls who come in can absolutely afford a dress, but it's not their ethic to spend so much on a dress. Some girls are trying to save money for school and some just want something unique," Bradley said.
In addition to offering dresses, the shop also has some donated jewelry, shoes and clutches.
The store is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment. Those working in the pop-up shop are all volunteers and Bradley said it has been fun to see and interact with young shoppers and to spread the organization's mission.