HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – Township and store officials held a grand opening ceremony Friday, March 30 to welcome the Dress Barn to the Hamilton Commons retail complex on the Black Horse Pike.

Hamilton Committeewoman Aline Dix cuts the ribbon during the official grand opening ceremony for the Dress Barn located inside the Hamilton Commons in Hamilton Township. She is surrounded by, from left, district manager Linda Wood of Berlin, Samantha Bode of Tuckerton, Lani Altmire of New Gretna, store manager Christine Wood of Galloway and Kamika Skinner of Ventnor.

“Our store is geared toward the working mother who wants to look good on a budget,” said district store manager Linda Wood. “They want to look good and feel good about themselves and the clothes they wear.”

The 9,600-square-foot store will employ a staff of six and look to hire as its sales grow, according to store manager Christine Wood, who is no relation to Linda Wood.

"It is my pleasure to cut this ribbon and welcome Dress Barn to our community,” Hamilton Township Committeewoman Aline Dix said. “I wish them great success in Hamilton Township.  It was also my pleasure to make the first purchase in their store."

Linda Wood said the chain has been exploring the possibility of opening a store in the Mays Landing area for the past 15 years and found that the location in the Hamilton Commons fit the needs of the company.

However, the Hamilton Dress Barn is different from the chain’s other stores, she said.

“It’s brighter and more colorful,” she said. “We’ve moved everything closer to the floor so it’s easier to get to.”

Store manager Christine Wood agrees.

“It’s the wow factor,” she said. “New customers come in and the first thing they say is, ‘Wow.’”

Dress Barn has a nearby store in Tangier Center at the Walk in Atlantic City and at Union Lake Crossing inVineland.

The chain was created in 1962 when Roslyn Jaffe, a working mother of three, opened the first store inStamford, Conn., according to the company’s website.

Dress Barn grew from its humble beginnings to include more than 800 stores across the United States.

Today, Dress Barn is part of the Ascena Retail Group, Inc. which also includes Maurice’s and Justice.

The chain was created in 1962 when Roslyn Jaffe, a working mother of three, opened the first store in Stamford, Conn., according to the company’s website.

Dress Barn grew from its humble beginnings to include more than 800 stores across the United States.

Today, Dress Barn is part of the Ascena Retail Group, Inc. which also includes Maurice’s and Justice.