Kiki D’s Dress Shop May Be Replaced by a Smoke Shop

By Barbara A. Preston | Posted August 24, 2023

Rocky Hill resident Mary Hagemann has sold many prom gowns and special occasion dresses to Montgomery-area residents. Her dress shop, named for her daughter, Kiki, closed in June. Hagemann has officially retired from the business, and said she and her husband John plan to spend more time at their Hilton Head property.

Mary Hagemann (left) with her daughter Kiki.

Over the years, Kiki D’s has moved from the Princeton North Shopping Center, to the Village Shoppes just north on Route 206 in Skillman, and back again. With Kiki D’s space now empty in the Princeton North Shopping Center, next to Princeton Fitness and Midori Sushi, Montgomery Township officials have received an application from Neel Patel to open a Rainbow Smoke Shop. Town officials could not give the address of Patel. They did say, however, that marijuana sales are not permitted in Montgomery Township. There is a Rainbow Smoke Shop in Warren that sells cigars, flavored tobacco, vapes, bongs, and exotic snacks.

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Meanwhile, Montgomery community members have expressed grief on social media while wishing Mary Hagemann a happy retirement. “What a loss for our community,” writes Denise Larcombe. “I will miss the incredibly unique boutique very much. I will be wearing my Journey two-piece long-dress set in navy for a family wedding ... that I purchased at Kiki D’s. We also purchased a gorgeous Jovani dress in red for my daughter’s prom several years ago. It was stunning.” Lysa Israel Wilson writes, “I am going to miss Kiki D’s. You provided every special occasion dress for Abby and me!” Patricia Caruthers Michon writes, “It’s the end of an era.”