204 Main Street
Open House
Saturday, October 24, 2015
4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
West Chicago, Illinois: October 15, 2015 – Emma Rios remembers the very first dress she made for a customer, a lady who worked at the Post Office when it was on Main Street. “She described the dress to me and asked me if I needed a pattern. She was surprised that I was able to make it only from her description and details about her fabric choice”, she reminisced.
Casa Rios Bridal Boutique, at 204 Main Street, has survived the test of time, and Emma and her husband Onesimo plan to celebrate 35-years in business by hosting an Open House with cake and refreshments for the community on Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
While some things have stayed the same over the years – her love for the business, her pride in taking good care of her customers, and her enjoyment in seeing multiple generations visit her store for Quinceañera dresses, bridal gowns and christening outfits – many things have changed. For one thing, she stopped making dresses once it became more cost effective to order pre-made garments. Now she uses her talents for hand embellishments and alterations. The business also provides tuxedo rentals for proms, weddings, or other special occasions.
After 35 years, and the fulfillment of the dream to own her own business, Emma knows that while near retirement, she doesn’t want to just close her doors. Rather, she is hoping that someone with their own dream to own a bridal shop will walk through that door. She is willing to train the right person, one who has vision. As she says, “Someone helped me learn to sew at a young age, and I want to ‘pay it forward’”.
