A North Belfast clothing alterations shop is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month.
Buttons 'N' Bows has been a stalwart on the Antrim Road since it was first opened by Sylvia Drummond and Marie O'Hara in 1982.
For locals, it has been the go-to place to bring your communion dress or wedding dress for final fittings and alterations, with many customers returning for multiple occasions over the years.
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The business is now in the hands of Sylvia's daughter, Teresa McCann, and Marie's niece, Mealla Hogg, who call themselves "partners in crime."
"I came here to do work experience 23 years ago and never really left," Mealla told Belfast Live.
"I just love everything about being here. It's really nice work, the customers are amazing, and then when it comes to communion season and fitting brides, seeing the joy and happiness on their faces is really personally rewarding.
"It's great being able to work alongside Teresa everyday, too. She's been here for 37 years. We're best friends, partners in crime - she's my rock. Our families have always been very close too which is nice."
Over the years, the Antrim Road has went through a number of changes with long-established shops closing and new offerings appearing.
Teresa and Mealla also said they have found new people moving into the area in recent years, too, who they love to serve alongside the old faces.
"There have been so many changes along the road. There's shops opening and closing, not only that but shops that were here for a long time closing, it's sad," Teresa added.
"Institutions on the road such as Hector's, and David's across the road is up for sale as well. It's sad but I guess you have to move with the times. It's nice to see new faces coming into the area and into new shops too.
"A lot of our customers have been coming in since we opened, and their families have been coming in too. Now we have a bit more regeneration in the area we have a lot of new people who have come from other parts of the city using us now.
"It's great to see all the old faces coming in along with the new too."
Over time, customers have continued to return to Buttons 'N' Bows to help prepare for all their big celebrations.
Teresa said: "There are people who we've done their communion dresses for, and now they're coming in with their children. It's really nice to see."
"It feels really rewarding to be part of that," Mealla added.
"There's a family from the Markets area, and the mum has seven daughters and we did dresses for all seven of them. The oldest daughter had the first grandchild and she's making her communion this year, so they're coming in for their fitting on Monday. It's like a whole clatter of them which is very nice to see."
Despite passing the reigns over to the next generation, Mealla's aunt Marie still helps out behind the scenes at the shop.
"The shop has always stayed in our families, and it will continue to stay in our families. In another 40 years, her and me will be sitting out the back like my aunt Marie," Mealla said.
To give back to the community that has supported them over the past 40 years, the team at Buttons 'N' Bows are hosting a party outside the shop on Saturday, May 21 from 1.30pm, which will include live music and face painting.
Mealla added: "It's important for us to have a good relationship with the community. We want to say a huge thank you to all our customers down the years, and the whole community around here because without them we wouldn't still be here. You really need that support."
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