David’s Bridal Files For Bankruptcy: What Does It Mean For MD Brides?

MARYLAND — David’s Bridal said Monday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but stores in Maryland will remain open and brides who ordered dresses won’t have to scramble to find another gown.

The news comes after the company announced Friday that it was laying off just over 9,000 workers.

The store operates five locations in Maryland, including:

• Beltway Crossing Shopping Center, 6320 Governor Ritchie Hwy. Suite D, Glen Burnie
• The Shoppes at Bowie Town Center, 3821 Evergreen Pkwy., Bowie
• Crosspoint Shopping Center, 17231 Cole Rd., Hagerstown
• Federal Plaza, 12268 Rockville Pike, Rockville
• 2901 Festival Way, Waldorf

The Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based company said Monday it had filed voluntary petitions for bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, and will seek similar protection in Canada and the United Kingdom.

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In a news release, David’s Bridal said both brick-and-mortar stores and online sales, including through its Pearl platform and vendor marketplace, will remain accessible to brides for their wedding planning needs.

Members of Diamond, the company’s loyalty program, can continue to earn and redeem points. Also, the company said it intends to honor gift cards, returns and exchanges.

The petition includes the usual “first day” relief, including authorization from the court to pay its workers, maintain certain customer programs and honor obligations to critical vendors. David’s Bridal will continue to seek buyers, the company said.

David’s Bridal CEO James Marcum said the company “continues to be challenged by the post-COVID environment and uncertain economic conditions, leading us to take this step to identify a buyer who can continue to operate our business going forward.”

Even before boutiques and malls were shut down by the coronavirus outbreak, traditional brick-and-mortar establishments saw a nosedive in revenue and popularity with the emergence of e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Walmart.