Alfred Angelo: Runaway Wedding Dress Retailer Leaves Scorned Brides Nationwide

Story by Paul Scicchitano, Patch Staff

DELRAY BEACH, FL — Angry brides and bridesmaids vented on social media while a competitor of Alfred Angelo stepped in on Friday with an offer for those scorned by the wedding dress retailer. The surprise closing by the bridal chain turned the wedding dreams of countless customers nationwide into nightmares. Attorneys representing Alfred Angelo issued a letter saying that the retailer was liquidating its business under federal bankruptcy laws.

In its Danvers location, women pored over heavily discounted merchandise along the North Shore shortly before closing on Thursday night. By then every dress was half price.

Emily, from Boston, had already bought and paid for her dress. She was rifling through the leftovers in the store after being told "probably not" when she pressed store employees about getting the dream dress that she purchased.

There are also Massachusetts locations in North Attleborough and Dedham. Alfred Angelo has 60 stores across America and was carried by 1,400 retailers worldwide.

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David's Bridal, a competitor, announced a 30 percent discount to customers who purchased bridal gowns through Alfred Angelo, but that did not yet receive them. David's is offering a 20 percent discount for customers who purchased bridesmaid dresses. A company representative told Patch that customers must have a copy of their Alfred Angelo receipt to get the discount. Rush fees are also being waived, according to the store's website.

"Helping you realize your wedding dreams is at the heart of the Alfred Angelo legacy," the company website still boasted on Friday. "As a wedding dress retailer that has dressed brides and their bridal parties for over 80 years, we continue the timeless vision of our founders, Alfred Angelo Piccione and Edythe Vincent Piccione, by offering elegant and affordable contemporary wedding dress and bridal party fashions."

Signs were everywhere that the retailer was in a state of crisis on Thursday — at its "signature stores" and at the chain's national headquarters in Delray Beach where employees reportedly were seen leaving with plants and other personal belongings.

Patch called South Florida locations in Coral Gables, Boynton Beach and Sunrise during regular business hours but was greeted by recordings in every instance. The same recording were still playing on Friday. An email to the company also went unanswered.

Meanwhile, at the company headquarters in Delray Beach “everyone left one-by-one with cardboard boxes, plants,” one witness told The Palm Beach Post after seeing the mass exodus. “One of them said it they were all fired today … It was so bizarre.”

Tina Braz of New York was among the brides-to-be who took to Twitter.

"I was standing in my future wedding dress, tears in my eyes, saying 'yes,' when I was told #AlfredAngelo has shut down and I can't order the dress," she vented.

At least she hadn't placed her order.

Women who already ordered their dresses were being given contact information for a law firm. In addition to wedding dresses, the chain sells bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and special occasion clothing.

"The company regrets that this action will have dramatic impact on you," stated a copy of a letter from the company's law firm that was addressed to "Dear Valued Partner."

The letter said that future decisions would be "solely at the discretion" of a Chapter 7 trustee. "The company understands that you were unaware of all of these circumstances and decisions," the letter stated. "The company will encourage the Chapter 7 trustee to finish and fulfill as many orders as possible."

It closed by thanking partner organizations.

"The company thanks you for being its partner for all these many years and wishes you much success prospectively," the letter concluded.

Patch editor Mike Carraggi reported on this story from Boston. Photos by Mike Carraggi.