Frowns Without Gowns: Local Bridal Stores Feel Aftershocks Of Alfred Angelo Bankruptcy

CEDAR RAPIDS — The sudden closure of one of the nation’s largest bridal dress companies has left Corridor bridal stores racing to find alternatives for the altar. In a turn of events that would make most anyone a bridezilla, Alfred Angelo, a bridal gown chain with more than 60 stores nationwide and partnerships with more than 1,400 retailers, closed all its store locations without warning on July 12.After two days of silence, the company announced in a statement released on its website July 14 it had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.“We apologize for the inconvenience and hardship resulting from this event,” the statement read.The Wall Street Journal first reported the company plans to file for bankruptcy protection, which led to the closures.The closures not only left customers scrambling to figure out if they would get refunds, but left local businesses scrambling to fix the problem.Dayna Harrington, owner of Elegant Repeats and Elegant Bridal in Cedar Rapids, said she had 20 customers — both brides and bridesmaids — without the dresses they had ordered and paid for.“We have either been able to find an alternative dress or we have given refunds,” Harrington said, noting the refunds had come out of the store’s own cash register.The national chain had been Harrington’s only supplier for brides’ dresses the past few months, and she now is searching for other avenues for bridesmaids dresses.Retailers were given no warning about closings, leaving some stunned.“We were all shocked that they went bankrupt,” Harrington said.