Business & Tech

Mt. Sinai Dress Shop Owner Returns to her Roots

Merrily Couture opened in October and recently expanded its line to include communion dresses and tuxedo rentals.

Merrily Ottomanelli recalls her Sweet 16 birthday party with a delighted fondness.

"It was like a wedding," she said. "It was on Halloween night. It had a Mardi Gras theme, every single person got a mask with the feathers."

Fast forward to 2013, and Ottomanelli, who grew up in Mt. Sinai and graduated from Mt. Sinai High School in 1994, has returned to her roots as the owner of a formal wear boutique called Merrily Couture, which opened in October.

"Because that impacted me, having a Sweet 16 that was very elaborate, that stayed with me," she said. "Now when I sell, I know what it takes, what they’re looking for. You want to make that special moment, that special day, amazing."

She said she started out studying health and psychology at New York University, and she said during that time she worked for the Metropolitan Museum of Art as an assistant on the fashion exhibits. That left an impression on her, too, as did the excitement of the city and its fashion district.

She previously worked at the dress boutique Magic Moments in Port Jefferson Station. Owning your own dress shop, she said, "makes you feel really good."

"When you get a delivery, it’s like holiday time, like it’s Christmas morning," Ottomanelli said. "It’s a lot of fun picking out the dresses. You go to the different fashion shows. The different vendors and designers, you get to meet everyone in person. It’s a lot of fun. You meet a ton of people."

Located at 340 Route 25A in Mt. Sinai, Merrily Couture started out selling gowns for proms, Sweet 16 and quinceañera parties, as well as mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom dresses. The store recently expanded its line to include communion dresses and tuxedo rentals, and will soon carry bridesmaid dresses, too. The store offers a layaway system and a seamstress who works on-site can turn around alterations in a few days, Ottomanelli said.

She said she chose the location because "it was wide, open, airy, and I felt it would be a good space for a showroom."

Like most clothing boutiques do, Ottomanelli said she has to start stocking dresses a few months ahead of each season so as to be able to keep up with the trends.

She said she was nervous at first about opening her own store, but quickly saw results. The most gratifying moments, she said, are her customers' reactions.

"I love hearing, 'OMG my daughter looks so pretty, you made my day,'" Ottomanelli said. "When customers come up to you and hug you ... it makes you feel really good."


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