The Fabric of Downtown

Irma Zuniga, owner of The Dressmaker Shop, is living her dream in downtown Texarkana
By Sarah Vammen

photo by shane darby.

“Only God and I know where I come from and the challenges I faced to be here,” said Irma Zuniga, who left her home and family when she immigrated to the U.S. from Honduras.

Looking for work, Irma arrived in Texarkana in 2010. She took a job at Osaka Japanese Steak House, where she worked for more than 10 years. But, a mom of two, Irma dreamed of being her own boss and showing her children the power of determination.

“I want to teach my kids that if you work towards your dreams, they come true,” she said.

Specifically, Irma dreamed of opening a sewing shop. 

“I’ve been sewing since I was 8 years old, most of the time just for fun,” she said. “I would always buy materials and imagine what I would do with them.”

In 2020, it was time for Irma to take action. “COVID was a wake up call for many,” she reflected, herself included. Fearing that her children would get sick at daycare, Irma decided to go into business for herself, so that she would have the flexibility to keep her children at home.

Irma immediately rented an available space on Broad Street. “Earlier that year, I had visited the building,” she explained, “so the seed was already there in my mind, just waiting on me to move forward.” The Dressmaker Shop was born. 

Irma offers a broad range of services. She draws all of her designs by hand, selects the materials, and then brings her designs to life, custom-made for each individual client. She also offers styling consultations, alterations for all types of clothes (including formal- and bridalwear), and an inventory of ready-to-wear formal and semi-formal dresses. 

“Sometimes people don’t know how to dress their body type or have never had a personal style,” she said. Irma primarily works with customers one-on-one, by appointment, to help her customers with a wide range of challenges, from finding the right style for their shape to learning to walk in heels. 

At the heart of her business, Irma’s job is deeper than fashion.

“I am here to make people comfortable in their own skin,” she said. “We are all different, but we are all beautiful, too.” 

As a mom, immigrant, and small business owner, Irma has faced her share of challenges, but her tenacious spirit pushes her through them. 

Irma with her daughters, Samantha and April, at an event downtown. photo by marshall chandra alam at lam light photography.

“More than once I’ve been ready to shut down, but prayers, resilience, and knowing there are so many people who need me always keep me going,” she said. 

Irma is always pushing herself to learn, grow her business, and continue aiming for a brighter future. “I’m pretty sure the ‘American Dream’ is different for [those born in the United States], but as an immigrant, having the shop is marvelous,” she said. “Most of us come from nothing. But, we have resilience built in our cores, and that’s why we try really hard and are extremely grateful and blessed to be here.”

photo by marshall alam at lam light photography.

Irma is particularly grateful to be part of downtown Texarkana’s revitalization. “I’m so happy that downtown is coming back to life, shop by shop,” she said. “When I moved here, downtown was desolate. Now I get an unusual feeling of happiness when I can’t find a parking spot on Broad Street. It’s amazing and inspiring.” 

Irma credits organizations like Main Street Texarkana for supporting her business’ growth and success. “My experience as a small business owner here in Texarkana has been amazing,” she said. “Main Street Texarkana is always there supporting us and pushing us and the community to engage.”

Irma’s future is bright, and she is continuing to grow The Dressmaker Shop every day. “It’s not easy, but what is easy that’s worth fighting for? Nothing,” she said, “so let’s keep on hustling.”