SPRINGFIELD – Fashion Nova and Meg Thee Stallion are two names readers might not associate with Western Massachusetts. However, recently the fashion brand and Grammy-award winning singer teamed up to donate $1 million to women in grants and scholarships throughout the month of March. Local prom and formal attire shop, Just B, was one recipient who received $25,000 from this Women on Top initiative.

Just B was started by Bianca Jackson in 2004. The boutique, located in Springfield, is most known for their high-end prom and special occasion dresses. Jackson said they have also started selling regular clothing and bridal as well. It is the only specialty boutique in Western Massachusetts owned and operated by women of color.

In 2020, Just B was closed from March through June due to COVID-19. Schools in the area canceled prom and formal events, which Jackson said led to extreme loss of revenue for her business.

"There was a time when you couldn’t try anything on, you could only have a certain amount of people in the store and then all functions were canceled. So, because we sell mostly prom dresses, with no proms you really can’t sell anything,” she said.

When she saw that Fashion Nova and Meg Thee Stallion were donating money, she decided to apply.

“We thought it was awesome. We follow both of them and we think they’re both trendsetters, so we decided to apply,” said Jackson.

After filling out an application, Jackson said she heard back that Just B would be receiving $25,000. She said she doesn’t know what the money will specifically be used toward yet, but that it will help with the losses the store faced last year.

“We’re super grateful,” she said. “We rely on the spring season to stay open, so $25,000 might seem like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t even cover our losses. Our losses were close to 80 percent of our annual revenues.”

Jackson said she thinks that Just B stood out to the Women on Top initiative due to the porch proms they hosted last year. Anybody who went to Just B and purchased a prom dress in 2020 was able to have a photoshoot done in their gown, despite the event cancelations.

Jackson and her team went to between 75 to 100 houses to take photos of girls and help give them a special day despite the pandemic.

“Even though we were closed down and closed for business, we were still giving back,” she said.

Just B is now open with limited hours and space in the store. Jackson said Springfield has already announced they will not be having prom this year and she doesn’t know what other schools will follow.

To stay afloat, Jackson has relied on her savings this past year.

Those interested in looking at formal attire at Just B are able to do so Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m to 5 p.m and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are required on the weekends. Just B is located at 900 Allen St.

“Right now, girls are coming in window shopping, trying to see if they do have a prom in June, maybe they’ll stop in and buy something,” said Jackson. “We’re just looking forward to girls being able to have their special day.”