If Delridge Way in White Center between a tavern and tool rental spot isn't the most unlikely place for a ladies dress shop it's not clear what might be. Kiki Corona, at 9448 Delridge Way SW has been successful there for the last nine years selling inexpensive club and special occasion dresses, shoes and jewelry and on Aug. 8 at 12 noon will open a second location in Westfield Mall at Southcenter. This is a grand opening event with food and refreshments.

Founded by Enrique "Kiki" Corona and now owned by he and his husband Luis Ortiz, the move was made possible through a combination of hard work, smart real estate investment, and help from family and friends.

The dresses which range in price from $24.95 to $49.95 are "90% made in America," said Corona. Some merchandise which requires more elaborate stichwork does come from China. Some dresses, but only a few, are more.

"A lot of the dresses are meant to be worn in a night club," Corona said, "It's high speed fashion, which means the styles change fast, so it's affordable."

Corona, who was born in Novillero, Mexico said fashion has always been something he was interested in. When he became 18, he moved to Los Angeles and got into modeling, and working in television. He came to Seattle in 1999.

He didn't have the money at first to open a shop, so he worked as a waiter and later managed the branch of a moving company and saved up. Investing in real estate gave him another boost and in 2006 he opened the shop, which bears his name. "It hasn't been easy," he said of growing the business. "It's a lot of learning, a lot of struggle but one of the most important things in my life is family so thanks to them we're able to open the new shop."

He and Oritiz were married on June 13 and as a present, his entire family helped them financially.

They had planned to open another store for more than a year and had money set aside for that, "but Michele came into our lives so that's where that money went."

Michele, who is 8, is the daughter of Ortiz sister but the couple now has full time responsibility for her. The newly formed family currently lives in Olympia but will move to South Park next month to be closer to both businesses. Corona will continue to run the White Center location while Ortiz will run the new Southcenter store.

"The new store has 2000 square feet," Corona explained," compared to 600 here so we will have the same kind of merchandise but more sizes and some items will be priced a little higher."

Corona is also a dressmaker/designer in his own right, often called on to make custom dresses or costumes but his prices for that kind of work mean it is rare and only for special clients with some dresses costing up to $5000. The styles in the shop reflect his taste. "I choose styles that reveal the female shape. When I dress a person, I want to compliment that person. I have to make her look the best. So her experience is good and I will say that it works." This is apparently true because, "My first customer from nine years ago is still my customer," he said smiling.

Ortiz is an award winning chef who worked in Olympia for 9 years moving up to be head chef at Peppers, taking the restaurant into "Best of Olympia" category for the first time. So, while he's relatively new to fashion, he knows what he likes and knows business.

The two met at the store in White Center four years ago.

The new store, located on the upper deck on the south side of the mall near the food court and Container store will be open from 10am to 9pm Monday through Saturday and Sundays 10am to 7pm.The White Center store is open from 11am to 8pm Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday open till 9pm. Sundays they close at 6pm.