LEESVILLE, La.-- On April 26, 1984 the local formal dress shop in Leesville gained a new owner, Mrs. Alice Singletary. She loved to sew, but didn't know a thing about running a business when friends and neighbors approached her with the idea of purchasing the shop. So Mrs. Alice, as she is known locally, brushed up on her research and learned what it took.
The purchasing didn't come without its backlash. Many people didn't think she had what it took to run a successful business since she had only gone to school through the 8th grade. Thirty-one years later that has been proven wrong.
"I love my job and I love people," she said. "Leesville has always been my home." Having grown up on North Fort, hers is a Heritage Family, who gave up their homes for the installation of Fort Polk.
She started working at 14 years old. Later, after she married, she stayed at home until her children were grown. Her husband has always enjoyed helping her in the shop. He sews on beads, fixes hems, and works on other various minor projects.
Alice's Fantasy Formals and Bridals has shipped dresses all over the world, including Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They have customers from across the state of Louisiana as far as Monroe, Lafayette, Alexandria, and Lake Charles; even Beaumont, Texas has brought new customers.
Mrs. Alice believes the reason her shop has been so successful is because customers come first, even on weekends if that is the only time the customer has to meet with her for fittings and other appointments.
"Shop local," Mrs. Alice said. "You can be whatever you want to be in Leesville.
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