The Matress Store Has been Replaced!

We have a New Pretty Window Display on Frederick Rd. and a Nice New Shop to go along with it.

Variety and service ring true for bridal shop owner

Catonsville Times 04/23/08By Marcia Ames

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Joseph and Deborah Blackwell recently opened a bridal shop called Paris Couture on Frederick Road. The white bridal gown adorning Paris Couture's display window in Catonsville pales further in contrast to the colorful dresses packed into the showroom.
Bright shades of turquoise and pink, also known as "Rio turquoise" and "bubblegum" in a coordinating men's vest collection that store owner Deborah Blackwell recommends, dominate the selection of bridesmaid and prom dresses.
"Those are the hot colors this year," said Blackwell, a first-time business owner. "But whatever color somebody wants, I can get and make them look beautiful."
She can also make it happen in a timely fashion.
A bride following timeline advice from The Knot, a popular Web- based resource for all things wedding-related, would order her gown eight to 10 months before a walk down the aisle.
Yet for those in a hurry, Blackwell says she can fill an order for bridal, bridesmaid or prom dresses within 10 days, possibly three for a rush job.
She credits a good relationship with dress companies and Catonsville seamstress Linda Felder for the rapid service.
But "individual customer service" is her main selling point to wedding parties or anyone needing a special-occasion dress.
"I give them my undivided attention," she said.
The Owings Mills resident opened Paris Couture March 1 in the former site of a Mattress King store that moved out in January this year, according to Joe Loverde.
His JLT Management Co. handles leasing for the property at 707 Frederick Road, which is owned by Elmer and Gertrude Morsberger.
Where bedding once filled the bill, a selection of white, cream and ivory-colored wedding gowns hangs at the rear of the showroom near a row of curtained dressing rooms.
Strapless and corset styles are among the popular items, Blackwell said.
Sashes and other trims can be used to provide color for a pale gown.
Photographer Kevin Brown, another Blackwell collaborator, describes Paris Couture as a "one-stop shop" for weddings.
In addition to the gowns, customers can utilize Blackwell's connections with Brown and with her husband of almost 25 years, videographer Joseph Blackwell, as well as florists, bakersand other event-critical vendors.
Her display of resources also includes a brochure from Cy's Tuxedos at 719 Frederick Road, Marvin and Bella Meyer's family-owned business that offers ties and vests in a wide array of colors to match almost any dress a bridesmaid or prom goer would choose.
"We coordinate everything along the way with the girls," said Karen Miller, a manager at the nearby store and one of the Meyers' daughters. "Sometimes the girls bring their dresses in."
Paris Couture is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 12:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
A Web page is under development at www.pariscouture.net.
E-mail Marcia Ames at mames@patuxent.com