The Holyoke site had about two dozen frocks on sale from $5 to $40 - some of them higher-end labels including Jessica McClintock.
Lauren Brunault, left, manager of Mother Mary's Thrift Store on High St., shows prom dresses to Ingrid Tobin, right, an instructional aid at Tri County High School in Easthampton, a Northeast Center of Youth and Families run program. Tobin purchased three dresses and some shoes.
HOLYOKE - Trendy or classic? Tulle or satin? Brilliants or neutrals?
Whatever your prom gown tastes, Mother Mary's thrift shop is offering a sampling at steeply discounted prices. The "Prom for Pennies" event began on Saturday and was the idea of store manager Lauren Brunault.
"I just wanted girls to know that you can have a good prom night without spending a fortune," Brunault said. "One girl who came in said that if she didn't get a dress here, she probably wouldn't have gotten one."
Both Mother Mary's and Cinderelli's Consignment Boutique, a sister store in South Hadley, featured dresses. The Holyoke site had about two dozen frocks on sale from $5 to $40 - some of them higher-end labels, including Jessica McClintock.
Shoppers were able to browse two broad racks of both short and floor-length styles. Sizes ranged from teeny-weeny on up.
Ingrid Tobin, an instructional aide at Tri-County High School, an alternative school in Easthampton, grabbed three gowns and four pairs of shoes to contribute to a growing inventory of prom gowns students there can borrow.
"I got one that was a pink chiffon, another that was black velvet ... very, very elegant. It was a huge score," Tobin said.
The dresses will be dry-cleaned and offered to students who can't afford their own.
"The girls get to go over with staff and pick through the dresses and try them on for their friends. It's really kind of fun," Tobin said.
The gowns will go back into the school's collection for next year.
Mother Mary's sells other types of discounted clothing, furniture, housewares and accessories. Two wedding dresses also hung on the wall on Saturday - but, no takers. Brunault said she finds more girls are looking for less expensive ways to dress up for prom.
To that end, she offered hand-outs on inexpensive accessories and do-it-yourself hair styling. She also printed up other thrifty prom-related tips, including "skip the limo" and "prom swaps" with friends.
Examples of available dresses are featured at both stores' Facebook pages:
facebook.com/mothermarysholyoke and facebook.com/cinderellisboutique
All proceeds from the Holyoke thrift store go to Providence Ministries for the Needy.