The Formal Closet Momence

08/29/2026

Good Morning!!! I will be at the Formal Closet this afternoon, organizing....making room for more dresses!!! If anyone has dresses to return, you can bring them this afternoon from 12PM - 4PM.

All the items in the Formal Closet have been donated! Donations of formal attire, jewelry, shoes and accessories (men, women and children) are accepted and appreciated!!!

This is a borrow and return process. There is a $30.00 deposit required to borrow, helps to ensure the return on the item(s). I do require the item to be cleaned prior to return, the item is ready for another borrower. Once the item is returned, the deposit is refunded to the borrower. I ask for items to be returned within 60 days, or the deposit will be forfeited.

I will be open for normal hours the week of Labor Day, starting on Thursday, September 10. Hours are Thursdays 5PM-7PM and Saturdays 10AM-noon. If these days/times don't work for anyone, call me....I'm happy to work around schedules.

The Formal Closet is located in the Momence Methodist Church, 111 W 4th St, Momence. Parking is in the back, in the alley. Come to the back door, ring the bell and I will come let you in.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again!!! Hope to see you all soon!

Christy

08/22/2026

Good day all!!! It's been a crazy busy summer but it's getting time to get the Formal Closet moving and grooving!! I will have the normal hours starting the week of Labor Day, however if you need anything prior too I'm still available for appointments until then.

Next Saturday, August 29, is going to be a reorganizing day at the closet! If anyone would like to help, holler at me. If anyone is looking for volunteer hours, I'm happy to help!! I have so many dresses, that I need some extra hands.

I'm thinking we'll start in the morning, but will have better time idea later this coming week.

Thanks,

Christy

07/09/2026

Happy July all!!! Love this month, why you ask??? Well, it's my birthday month AND it's SUMMER TIME FINALLY!!!!

While I'm bursting at the seams with donated items, I do need some young lady dresses. I've got some very special young ladies that are running for Gladiolus princess and I'm very low on formals for these young ones. If you would have any and want to donate, I'm happy to pick up or you can drop off to me...which ever works best for you!

The Formal Closet is open by appointment only during the summer months, but will be back to normal hours in September. Contact Christy Ritter, 815-514-4285 for an appointment or questions.

I appreciate you all! Have a wonderful summer, stay COOL!!

Christy

06/20/2026

The dresses are “home” from the dry cleaners AND a another donation of 60 dresses arrived! I’m busting at the seams….literally!! I’m open by appointment during the summer, message or call me for a time to come by

Christy

06/02/2026

The dresses for the Formal Closet are done! I'll be heading over to the dry cleaners on Friday afternoon to pick them up and bring to the Methodist Church in Momence. If you are available to help bring them into the church, I would greatly appreciate it. Please contact me if you are available to help and I can let you know what time....815-514-4285. (high schoolers, I will give volunteer hours!!)

A SPECIAL thank you to all of those that helped with the dry cleaning bill. It has been covered in full. I appreciate you all so very much, not sure what I would do without this wonderful community and some great friends! I know there will be some very happy "borrowers" in the near future!

With lots of love,

Christy
The Formal Closet in Momence

05/09/2026

Good morning!!! What a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning....love mornings like this (even looking out my office window). It's been another successful year of the The Formal Closet, lots of dresses borrowed, makes my heart smile! I'm going to move to appointment only for the summer, same as last year. It's not as busy at the closet during the summer months and my job is 'crazy pants' during the summer. I'm still here, not going anywhere! If you are looking for an item, please contact me for an appointment. I live close to the Formal Closet and can meet you anytime.

The dresses at the cleaners will be done soon and back at the closet! I'm very excited to get them back and have them available for everyone.

I'm excited about the summer, working with the young candidates for the Momence Gladiolus Festival royalty. Always a great time and one of my favorite times of the year....(I know I have a few of those lol) It is so much fun meeting and working with a new group of young people each year.

The Formal Closet is always accepting donations of formal attire! Men, women, children - dresses, suits, jewelry/accessories, shoes. If interested in donating items, please contact me.

If you have items to return, please contact me. We can work out a time.

Enjoy your summer! If you need me, looking for formal attire....let me know. I'm happy to help! I'll be open with normal hours again late August.

Appreciate you all!

Love,

Christy

05/07/2026

I will be open this evening from 5pm - 6:30pm. If you have an item out, reminder to return. I will be going to appointment only starting next week for the summer months. I want to get as many items back that are out....and there are some!

Thank you,

Christy

Send a message to learn more

05/02/2026

While I have many dresses at the dry cleaners, there are MANY here at the Formal Closet! Here are 3 new ones to the closet today! Stop in, check out the selection of formal attire and wedding dresses

111 W 4th Street, Momence

$30.00 deposit required, will be returned once the item is dry cleaned and returned to the Formal Closet

04/24/2026

Dresses were delivered to the cleaners today!! Omgosh, my truck was full. If, and no pressure on anyone, you would like to contribute to the cause here’s the info. They did let me know if you stop in there to help, mention my name and that you want to contribute to the bill. Dry cleaning ticket in the picture.

Smart wash assured me that the dresses will be completed prior to June 3, but I let them know also I’m at their mercy! I’m in no hurry and am thrilled that they took this on! They are awesome people, hugs to all of them!!!

HUGE job getting all of that to the cleaners today, but I got the job done! Please remember, the Formal Closet is open and functioning (and dry 😊). This community keeps me doing what I’m doing! The love I have for the community and residents keeps me motivated and wanting to do all I can!

Love,

Christy

04/21/2026

The Formal Closet finally caught a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Smartwash Dry Cleaners in Bourbonnais is going to help the Formal Closet with the dresses from last week! The most kind people are giving me almost a 33% discount to help me out! Yep, happy tears! You will see me dancing in my truck driving to Bourbonnais tomorrow!!! Those 60 dresses are going to be cleaned...I'm almost ready to do cartwheels! (at least the thought is there lol) It's still an expensive process, but I feel like with the donations to overcome the disaster from last week this is heading in the right direction! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

There have been many that have offered help in town and (and out of town) with this enormous adventure, and with your help and Smartwash Dry Cleaners, we got this! I cannot even begin to thank you, but I know in my heart the borrowers will be so excited to get one of these items.

The Formal Closet is still moving and grooving!

Lots of hugs to so many, I cannot even count! It takes a village and I LOVE this village!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christy