MELBOURNE, Fla. — The closing of a major bridal store chain is affecting some small businesses.
Alfred Angelo Bridal filed for bankruptcy and closed its stores last week, leaving many brides and bridesmaids scrambling to find dresses.
Retailers who carried the brand were also left without warning, including Kristine Palsis, who owns Elda’s Bridal Boutique in Melbourne.
The store had been loyal to the Alfred Angelo brand since it opened.
“Alfred Angelo was the first bridal company that we started with,” said Palsis.
Alfred Angelo announced on its website Friday that the company filed for bankruptcy.
The stored closed nationwide on Sunday, including a location in Altamonte Springs.
The company had 1,400 retailers carrying its bridal collection.
“They left people hanging. Like not just their 60 stores, but us,” said Palsis.
She said she was left scrambling to find dresses and turned to a private group on Facebook made up of retailers across the country.
“We actually post what dresses we’re looking for with sizes and colors,” she said.
She found dresses for two of her brides by working with retailers.
“I was able to get two bridals from a store in New Hampshire and a store in Kansas,” said Palsis.
The company did not respond to Channel 9’s request for a comment.
Cox Media Group
