New bridal shop in downtown Idaho Falls may seem familiar

IDAHO FALLS — An iconic downtown shop that closed last year has a new name, a new look and new inventory.

The location on Shoup Avenue used to be Treasure’s Formal Bridal and Tux, which closed in November after the owner, Treasure Johnston, retired.

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Tawni Howell and Jayce Howell, of Idaho Falls, bought the building and gave the business a new name.

“We changed the name to Downtown Bridal & Dress Shop so that people know exactly what it is and where it’s at,” said Tawni Howell.

The shop will offer wedding dresses, prom, formal wear, bridesmaid dresses, quinceañera dresses, baptism dresses and more for women. There are designer dresses, and some of the brands include Rachel Allan, Casablanca and Moonlight. They will offer alterations to customers to make dresses the perfect fit.

“We definitely felt that there was still a need, especially downtown,” said Howell. “I’m really excited.”

Joining the Howells will be the previous manager of Treasure’s Formal Bridal and Tux, Kathy Reed. Tawni Howell and Reed have known each other for several years. This will be Reed’s 18th year working in the building, and she will continue to be a manager.

“Love what you do, and you never work a day in your life,” Reed said, smiling.

Tawni Howell added they are grateful to have her.

“She knows a lot of people. She’s very involved in the community,” she said.

Reed’s sister, Liz Dalessi, will work alongside her too as an assistant manager. She said the business, in partnership with other downtown businesses, could be a one-stop shop.

“You’ve already got flowers, jewelry stores, and hair places down here. I think all the merchants can band together and work together,” Reed said. “You can get your catering, you’ll be able to get your dress, and you’ll be able to get all of those needs taken care of right there.”

Downtown Bridal & Dress Shop has been reinventing how the shop looks, too. It’s undergone upgrades, so it will look different.

“They preserved the character of the building, like the tin ceilings and the wood floors. Then, they’ve just added some other touches to it and made it more up-to-date, which it needed,” Reed said.

The Howells have kept the big runway on the third floor where a bride-to-be can check out the dresses she tries on.

“We want to make every girl feels good about herself,” said Reed. “I think it’s going to be a unique and fun place. Just exciting!”

Tawni Howell wants people to know that there is a dress for every size and that the business will be budget-friendly.

She expects there will be a soft opening for Downtown Bridal & Dress Shop coming up either at the end of March or the beginning of April. She is planning for a grand opening in May.

“I’m excited to get the doors open and get people in here and see their oohs and aahs,” she said.

Click here to visit the business’s Facebook page.