MANCHESTER -- Brides and bridesmaids are panicking after suddenly finding out Alfred Angelo in Manchester closed Friday morning.
They are one of the largest bridal gown retailers in the country and all 60 of their stores are no longer in business. Meanwhile, Bridal Bells Boutique got quite the phone calls and visits today as the owner wanted to help out the bridal parties that were affected.
One of the customers was Nicole Hernandez. While she ordered her dress through Bliss Boutique, her bridesmaids are now scrambling to find their dresses. They originally agreed on the dresses at Alfred Angelo until they got an email saying they would get a refund.
“I’m frustrated. I’m beyond frustrated right now,” said Nicole Hernandez of Bristol.
“For us to not get what we wanted when we all agreed and to rush into something else and try to not agree on something, it’s going to be difficult,” said Kayla Neils of Meriden.
Barbara Stasiak, the owner of Bridal Bells Boutique in Berlin said she was devastated for the bridal parties that are impacted that is why she has been helping the damsels in distress.
“I want to help find their dream dress or at least a replacement of their dream dress that they’ve lost,” said Stasiak.
Signs were posted on Alfred Angelo’s doors letting customers know they have officially closed and to contact the seamstress.
One of the seamstresses is Mollie Frish.
“It was a blow to everyone. It was a blow to the employees. It’s a blow to the brides,” said Frish.
She said she had an inkling the company would file for bankruptcy.
“I would say the first ones started for me was on the 30th of June when the district manager called me and told me they would no longer be doing alterations in any of the Alfred Angelo stores,” added Frish.
Frish said the shop in Manchester was open for six years and made a lot of money off of alterations. She also said the shop’s 12 employees were working for two weeks with no paychecks. They were told they were losing their jobs in a conference call.
However, Frish said she wants to help the brides in any way she can.
“I will be able to possibly locate a dress only if I have it in my possession or if the other seamstress has it in her possession,” added Frish.
Several other competitors have also offered discounts for brides such as David’s Bridal.