Gowntastic is the kind of shop you notice from the bus stop before you ever notice it from the car. It sits on North High Street in Clintonville, and owner Kathy Chismar told the Clintonville Spotlight in 2022 that people walk to catch the bus right in front of her window. "I change the mannequins for the little girls that get on the bus in front of my store," Chismar told the paper. It's a neighborhood storefront, and since 2014 it has been one of the north side's dedicated prom and homecoming shops.
Chismar and a college friend, who stayed on as a silent partner, opened Gowntastic on Valentine's Day 2014. According to the Spotlight, it was her partner's idea to open a gown store built around homecoming, prom and special events. They spent about six months hunting for space, considered Upper Arlington and Grandview, and landed on High Street. Chismar said she felt lucky to find the location.
Gowntastic's designers and price range
The store's homepage names its designers: Alyce Paris, Primavera, Sophia Thomas, Ashley Lauren, Jovani, Ellie Wilde and Sydney's Closet, "and more." The pitch covers homecoming, winter formal, prom and pageant, with "hundreds of styles" in sequins, sleek fitted cuts and full skirts, and prices starting at $68.
Everything is new. Chismar was direct about that with the Spotlight: "We offer quality, new gowns for under $600. We have hit a niche price point. We are not a consignment or resale store." That quote is a few years old, so treat the number as a description of the shop's lane rather than a price cap. Still, the lane is clear. This is where a sophomore at Whetstone can find a real designer gown without a four-figure receipt.
The online shop sorts dresses into long, short and plus-sized sections, and orders can ship or be picked up at the store. Scrolling those sections on a phone is the quickest way to see what's in stock right now.
The calendar, from the owner
Chismar laid out the year in that 2022 interview. "Prom season, which is our longest season, runs January through May," according to Chismar. Homecoming dresses arrive at the end of July and through August and September, and the store sells through October. November and December are what she called shoulder season: military balls, black-tie events and holiday parties.
If you are shopping for an April or May prom, January is not too early here; it's when the season starts.
Prom season also stretches longer than you'd expect because the customer base does. The store draws shoppers from across the state, and Chismar described people coming in from West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. For local families, the closest high schools are Whetstone and Bishop Watterson, with Thomas Worthington and Worthington Kilbourne up the road in Worthington and Upper Arlington to the west, all in central Ohio's north and west suburbs.
Three store policies deserve a look before you buy.
Returns
All sales are final and gowns are sold as is, with no returns.
Special orders
100 percent down plus a shipping fee, rush delivery costs extra, and the gown can't be returned or exchanged once ordered.
Layaway and holds
Not offered, so come ready to decide.
The good news is on the other side of the ledger. You can show up whenever the doors are open, or use the online booking link if you'd rather set a time. The homepage repeats the walk-in policy in two short lines.
No appointment necessary during our open store hours. Just walk in!
Gowntastic FAQ
Can I put a Gowntastic gown on layaway or hold it?
No. The store does not offer layaway or dress holds, and all sales are final, so come ready to decide.
Does Gowntastic sell used or consignment gowns?
No. The owner has said the shop sells only new gowns and is not a consignment or resale store.