Five years after buying Statesboro-based Frills and Fancies, owner Scott Marchbanks is "rebranding" the very successful prom and formal wear store. Marchbanks has renamed his retail operation Frills By Scott, and is preparing to launch a second store in Baxley this August.
      "Just like in the fashion business, things are always changing," he said. "If you are unwilling to change, then you will be dead on the vine, so-to-speak. So, I really wasn't opposed to rebranding, it just had to be the right time. And to me, this is the right time."
      Marchbanks will continue to carry prom and formal wear, but has now added a boutique section to the store. "I feel like this part of the store is an extension of my personality in a way," he said. "I wanted to walk the fine line between high fashion and affordability with a fashion forward, celebrity look that is unlike a department store or a major chain."
      Marchbanks said he has chosen every single item that is in the boutique section.
      "Nothing comes here to be sold that I haven't seen and approved," he said. "From shorts to dresses, it is fun to show my personality through what I buy for the boutique. I have had a lot of fun with it, and customer response has been tremendous."
      Pam Williams has two daughters who love to shop at Frills. The Jesup resident is very pleased with the changes Marchbanks has made.
      "My oldest daughter participated in the Miss Georgia Teen pageant for three years, and my youngest will be in it this year," she said. "We have always gotten their pageant wear from Scott, but now I am so thrilled that we can buy their everyday clothing there as well. My girls just love the boutique section of the store. He has such up-to-date things that are reasonably priced. With one child at the University of Georgia, and one in high school, affordability is very important."
      Marchbanks puts great emphasis on serving his community, and as part of that commitment, Frills By Scott is hosting a weeklong dress collection drive to celebrate the launch of the store's new name, expansion of Frills and extended boutique line.
      On June 12-16, Marchbanks is asking customers to bring in gently-used prom, pageant, and bridesmaids dresses to donate to local teens who do not have the resources to purchase a dress on their own.
      "We are excited to showcase the new vision of our store, but more importantly we want to continue to support the dreams of young women and instill confidence in them through this community outreach program," Marchbanks said. "We are partnering with Jameson Kenerly who is competing at Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen Pageant. Her platform is Caitlin's Closet, a national program that provides formal dresses to economically disadvantaged teens at no cost, allowing them to enjoy proms, homecoming dances or other special events."
      Since its inception in 2006, the organization has provided more than 8,000 dresses to girls across the country.
      "Our local point of distribution will be the Boys and Girls Club of Bulloch County and we will orchestrate this in early 2013," Marchbanks said. "All participating customers who donate dresses will receive a 20-percent discount for any store item. Frills requests customers limit dress donations to five items."
      Frills By Scott has become a regional shopping destination for prom wear and formal wear. The third floor of the store, which is dedicated to wedding dresses, has recently been renovated while the second floor remains a design studio for the creation and production of original pageant and formal wear. All of this is happening in conjunction with Marchbank's vision of expansion to other markets, he said.
      According to Marchbanks, Frills of Baxley will be owned by Haley Black, a resident of Baxley, and will offer the same clothing lines as carried in Statesboro's Frills. "Haley has the passion, drive and style needed to successfully maintain my brand, and she looks forward to serving Appling, Bacon, Pierce, Ware, Glen, Coffee, Brantley and Jeff Davis counties," he said.