Kirsten Perry grew up helping her mom with her bridal store, and now that her mom is retired, Perry decided it was time that she opened up her own shop to serve the people of Selma.

“I previously worked for my family business where my mom [Renate Perry] owned a bridal shop as well,” Perry said. “After my mom retired, I decided that I missed it so much that I actually wanted to bring it back and I felt that Selma could use it.”

Perry opened the business with her fiancé Dexter Watkins Sr., and said she is excited to get the ball rolling.

“I’m very excited,” Perry said. “I missed the excitement of the girls getting ready for prom, the joy in the brides in finding their dress and just helping their bridal party look fabulous at the wedding, so I wanted that feeling again.”

The shop specializes in providing dresses for prom, homecoming and pageants, as well as bridal gowns and tuxedos.

“There is something for everybody here,” Perry said.

Lexden’s carries sizes from 00 to 40 and dresses vary in price. Perry said that if someone were to find a dress that they liked and they didn’t have the size in stock, she can always order it for them. To make sure that no one shows up to prom or a pageant wearing the same dress, Perry said that her store is keeping a dress tracker that will let her know if a girl from the same school has already bought a particular gown.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said she is excited to have the new business supporting downtown.

“This is yet another significant investment in Selma’s retail community,” she said in a press release. “Lexden’s Formal Boutique has all the formal wear you need in a beautifully upscale space.”

Perry said Lexden’s will offer layaway, and that customers can buy or rent.

“A lot of people told us that they missed us, so the support from that was encouraging for me to get back into the business,” Perry said. “People want options. Even though Selma is small, they still deserve options. Even though a lot of people are giving up on Selma, I refuse to and I believe Selma just deserves better.”

Perry said she enjoys the excitement and the energy of the ladies when they come in and find the perfect dress.

“That’s what I live on, the excitement,” Perry said. “People who know me, they know I love to meet new people, I love to talk to new people, and just basically, if I can help you get to where you need to go and if you can be beautiful doing that, we’ve done good.”

Perry said those wanting more information or that want to see some of the items they have in stock can join the Facebook group, Lexden’s Formal Boutique. The boutique is located at 125 Broad Street.

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