T-L Photos/GAGE VOTA Vine & Ivy Formal Wear owner and operator Tiffany Oszust places the wedding dresses on a shopping rack during her store’s soft opening.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A new boutique plans to fill a much needed void in the community.

Vine & Ivy Formal Wear is located at 111 S Marietta Street offers homecoming, prom, bridal, date night dresses, summer dresses, tuxedo rentals, suit purchases or rentals, ladies shoes, handbags, and accessories.

“Back in the day, I did wedding and event planning on the side but then I just got too busy with my full time job. But this has always been something that I’ve wanted to do,” owner and operator Tiffany Oszust said. “Last January, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I had to have a double mastectomy. I was going to Cleveland and Canton 24/7 and during recovery I got the inspiration for this and decided let’s do this.”

She added that she believes that St. Clairsville needs a store for formal attire that is reasonably priced.

Oszust said that she constantly hears from people in the community that they have to travel out of town to purchase formalwear.

“The pricing is very expensive at other places, so while I was recovering I just decided to do it,” Oszust said. “Everything is closed around here, there’s no place for anybody to go.”

Vine & Ivy Formal Wear isn’t fully opened yet, it is currently doing a soft launch 1-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon until 5pm on Saturday.

Although the store is closed on Sunday and Monday, it will be available for private appointments.

“I’m going to offer bridal parties where they can bring in all of their bridesmaids, and have a little party where they can try on all of their dresses. I’m going to offer champagne and hors d’oeuvres and it’ll be VIP,” Oszust said.

She added that she doesn’t have an official grand opening as of now because she wants to hear from her customers their opinions on what she could possibly do to improve her store.

In addition to hearing from her new customers, Oszust will be giving all customers 10% off of all purchases until the store’s grand opening.

She also stressed that if anyone shopping at her store isn’t finding a specific style or brand that she encourages them to let her know so she can order it to the store from the specific vendor.

Oszust added that she is most excited about being healthy again and to finally get the doors open and get moving.

“I’m just excited to accommodate everybody,” she said.