Business Q&A: Sugarplum

Sweet 16 dresses, prom dresses, engagement party dresses and much more is what you will find upon walking into Sugarplum. One of Long Island’s top picks for special occasion dressing, Sugarplum is proud to call Garden City their new home.

Lori Altman, who has owned the business since its origin in 1972, moved the store to its new location on Seventh Street after spending 40 years in Lynbrook. Here, she explains how the move has affected business:

How long ago did you move the store into Garden City? How long were you at your previous location?

Sugarplum relocated and opened its doors in Garden City Sept. 21, 2012. Our original location was in Lynbrook from 1972-2011, 40 years, and we had a second location in Merrick from 1973-1991 for 20 years. I am the original owner. I started the business in my freshman year of college. Growing up in West Hempstead and attending Carey High School, Garden City brings me right back to my "roots!"

What made you decide to move your location? 

I made our decision to move based on the fact that Sugarplum's lease was coming due and this "magical location" next to Chico's on Seventh Street opened up. Our new landlord, Elias Properties, did some checking into our background and the other local shops - Chico's, Coquette and Garden City Salon & Spa - were quite familiar with Sugarplum and knew many people who had bought their special occasion dresses from us. They encouraged the Elias' to get us in because we would bring in upscale traffic. The rest is history!

How has business been since moving to Seventh Street?

Business has been quite exciting on Seventh Street. We have had a very kind and receptive reaction from local shoppers and businesses alike. Our regular customers have managed to find us, thanks to our fabulous website: www.sugarplumonline.com and the fact that if you Google us for any type of special occasion dress (prom, Sweet 16, Mother of the Bride or Groom, pageant, on Long Island) Sugarplum pops up right away! Because we have such a loyal following (not to mention several existing Garden City customers already), the tremendous exposure on Seventh Street is such a hub for so many people and has definitely helped us have a very successful first year!

Have you noticed any changes in customers? Do you have any steady customers or families that use your store for all their events ? 

I have had the privilege to dress many generations of customers. Some have even purchased their Sweet 16 Dress, their prom dress, their engagement party dress, all the way to their Mother of the Bride and Groom dress! I consider myself a very lucky person to have survived four decades in the business of special occasion dressing, gotten to know and share so many happy moments with such wonderful clients! I know that Sugarplum will enjoy many more years of happiness at our beautiful new home here on Seventh Street in such a pretty and charming town!