David's Bridal To Lay Off Workers Across 5 Minnesota Stores: Notice

MINNESOTA — David's Bridal, a popular shop for wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and formal attire, plans to lay off workers and close all five stores in Minnesota, according to a WARN notice filed Monday.

The notice came as the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it would lay off just over 9,000 workers. However, the chain did not provide the number of employees being affected in Minnesota.

Layoffs and closures will take place at the following Minnesota locations, David's Bridal told the state:

• Shoppes at Lyndale, 840 West 78th Street, Richfield, MN 55423
• Arbor Lakes Shopping Center, 12965 Elm Creek Boulevard, Maple Grove, MN 55369
• Burning Tree Plaza, 5115 Burning Tree Rd. Ste 100, Duluth, MN 55811
• TJ Maxx Plaza, 1340 Salem Rd SW Ste 10, Rochester, MN 55902
• Oakdale Village Shopping Center, 8304 3rd Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128

David's Bridal employees are not represented by a union. The layoff will occur in phases:

Corporate Employees

Phase 1: April 14, 2023
Phase 2: Sometime between May 13 and May 27
Phase 3: Sometime between June 12 and Aug. 11

Distribution Center Employees

• Sometime June 12 and June 26

Field/Store Employees

• Sometime between June 12 and Aug. 11

The reason for the closure was solely economic.

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.

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.”