Bridal gown distributor declares bankruptcy!
This is all over the news down here in Baltimore - they say that 5000 brides have been effected all over the Maryland area!
Bridal Shops Come To Rescue After Bankruptcy
Some Brides-To-Be, Bridesmaids Left Without Gowns
POSTED: 5:58 pm EDT July 13, 2005
UPDATED: 6:01 pm EDT July 13, 2005
HALETHORPE, Md. -- Some Maryland brides may be without their gowns after a company's bankruptcy announcement -- but some other shops have come to the women's rescue.
•Check: Letter To Dealers
•Read: Filene's Gown Sale
Discount Bridal Service Inc., which owns Martin's Bridal, announced its bankruptcy status earlier in the week, leaving many customers without the dresses of their dreams.
WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Noel Tucker reported that when Martin's Bridal Shop shut its doors earlier this week, it left brides-to-be, like Tiffany Barnes, without dresses for bridesmaids.
To her rescue came Jonzetta Carter, also known as 'Pinky' of Pinky's Bridal Shop.
Like many other women, Barnes just found out Martin's Bridal Shop is headed for bankruptcy.
'I was so sick in my stomach, I thought I was gonna faint,' Barnes said.
That's where Pinky comes in. She's one of several retailers stepping up with a message for Martin's jilted customers, Tucker said.
'Don't despair, call around and see if you can get someone to help you,' Carter said.
Carter is helping by getting the manufacturer to send Barnes' dresses to her shop -- at no extra charge.
'They cry because it's important to them, that's their big day to shine and they shouldn't have to go out in something other than what they really chose for themselves at the beginning,' Carter said.
However, Barnes did have to pay the manufacturer directly to get the dresses, but it's about the same amount she would have paid after Martin's original markup.
'I am so grateful to her,' Barnes said.
For brides in a rush, David's Bridal stores are giving Martin's victims 40 percent off on off-the-rack gowns. Their closest store is located in Glen Burnie.
But for Barnes, finding enough matching off-the-rack dresses would have proven difficult. Tucker said she has not just three or four bridesmaids, not even five or seven -- try 10.
'Ten girls have to get here, then get the alterations done. Of course, the dresses aren't here yet, so were hoping that they'll be here on Friday,' Barnes said.
Her wedding is 10 days away.
Unless your wedding is this weekend, Carter advised brides-to-be not to rush.
'I mean that's just heartbreaking because you've wasted so much time and effort trying to find your gown. If there's a way that you can actually get your gown, you need to call these bridal shops to see if you can get it first before you spend the money for another gown,' Carter said.
Tucker reported the owners of Martin's Bridal have said they will try to get wedding gowns for their brides, but they can't guarantee the brides will get the gowns they ordered. As far as bridesmaids go, there's nothing the company can do.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest consumer news updates.
Bridal Shops Come To Rescue After Bankruptcy
Some Brides-To-Be, Bridesmaids Left Without Gowns
POSTED: 5:58 pm EDT July 13, 2005
UPDATED: 6:01 pm EDT July 13, 2005
HALETHORPE, Md. -- Some Maryland brides may be without their gowns after a company's bankruptcy announcement -- but some other shops have come to the women's rescue.
•Check: Letter To Dealers
•Read: Filene's Gown Sale
Discount Bridal Service Inc., which owns Martin's Bridal, announced its bankruptcy status earlier in the week, leaving many customers without the dresses of their dreams.
WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Noel Tucker reported that when Martin's Bridal Shop shut its doors earlier this week, it left brides-to-be, like Tiffany Barnes, without dresses for bridesmaids.
To her rescue came Jonzetta Carter, also known as 'Pinky' of Pinky's Bridal Shop.
Like many other women, Barnes just found out Martin's Bridal Shop is headed for bankruptcy.
'I was so sick in my stomach, I thought I was gonna faint,' Barnes said.
That's where Pinky comes in. She's one of several retailers stepping up with a message for Martin's jilted customers, Tucker said.
'Don't despair, call around and see if you can get someone to help you,' Carter said.
Carter is helping by getting the manufacturer to send Barnes' dresses to her shop -- at no extra charge.
'They cry because it's important to them, that's their big day to shine and they shouldn't have to go out in something other than what they really chose for themselves at the beginning,' Carter said.
However, Barnes did have to pay the manufacturer directly to get the dresses, but it's about the same amount she would have paid after Martin's original markup.
'I am so grateful to her,' Barnes said.
For brides in a rush, David's Bridal stores are giving Martin's victims 40 percent off on off-the-rack gowns. Their closest store is located in Glen Burnie.
But for Barnes, finding enough matching off-the-rack dresses would have proven difficult. Tucker said she has not just three or four bridesmaids, not even five or seven -- try 10.
'Ten girls have to get here, then get the alterations done. Of course, the dresses aren't here yet, so were hoping that they'll be here on Friday,' Barnes said.
Her wedding is 10 days away.
Unless your wedding is this weekend, Carter advised brides-to-be not to rush.
'I mean that's just heartbreaking because you've wasted so much time and effort trying to find your gown. If there's a way that you can actually get your gown, you need to call these bridal shops to see if you can get it first before you spend the money for another gown,' Carter said.
Tucker reported the owners of Martin's Bridal have said they will try to get wedding gowns for their brides, but they can't guarantee the brides will get the gowns they ordered. As far as bridesmaids go, there's nothing the company can do.
Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest consumer news updates.
