A display case sits in Porter's Flowers and Gifts, filled with wristlets, ribbons, jewels and even fiber-optic lights that can be arranged with flowers to produce every corsage imaginable.

Kendall Kepley has spent much of the week in the back room of his store, Kep's Men's Wear, frantically checking sizes and condition of rented tuxedoes, then pressing everything. He barely looks up from his iron to say that at least he didn't have to stay up all night this year -- an unusual feat.

At Samy's Spirits and Steakhouse, staff is preparing a buffet that will serve 250 to 270 high school students tonight, owner Amro Samy said.

And bobby pins will be used more today than on any other day, said Michelle Herrman of the downtown Legends Salon.

It must be prom season.

Tonight's event at Garden City High School is the first in a series of proms at western Kansas schools in the coming weeks. Business owners like Kepley said they see students from all over the area, with one big day being April 12, when proms are held in Lakin, Holcomb, Deerfield and Sublette.

"In other words, there's going to be a lot of tuxedoes in western Kansas," he said.

The night of memories for students comes at a cost -- some say they've spent several hundred dollars -- and several local business owners said it gives them a boost.

"They're coming in and dining out," Samy said. "It's great for us."

Bob Finley of Finley's Men's Wear, one source for tuxedo rentals, said prom is helpful to businesses of all kinds, including his own.

Stores selling dresses, shoes, accessories and flowers also see prom business, as well as hair, nail and tanning salons, local business people said.

Good business, perhaps, but owners of stores and restaurants impacted by prom say they have to brace for the event.

Shelly Porter-Rupp said it takes four designers about two full days to prepare the corsages and boutonnieres that will be picked up today at Porter's -- by 3 p.m., a sign on the door emphasizes.

At Legends, chairs will be full as many of the 18 stylists are on duty and booked, Herrman said.

"All day, it will be prom do's and make-up," she said.