2 the 9s, a new boutique specializing in teen formalwear, has opened in the former Stuart Weitzman space at Westfield Montgomery mall. This is the first Montgomery County venture for owner SoonRae Pinkos, who carries long and short gowns for proms, quinceañeras, mitzvahs and sweet sixteens. “There just aren’t many stores now where girls can try on their special occasion dresses in person,” Pinkos says. “When they order things online, they often don’t fit and the girls get frustrated. Here we can show what looks pretty on them, and hopefully they’ll find their dream dress.” After 30-plus years selling wedding clothes, Pinkos says working with teens is a refreshing change. “You make a lot of money on weddings, but it’s so much stress,” she says. “When you’re working with teens, they’re in the best shape of their lives, they have happy spirits, and they’re happily spending their parents’ money.”
