Maplewood Wedding Dress Maker Enters Plea In Theft Of Services Charges

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The manager of a Maplewood-based wedding dress company pleaded not guilty on Thursday to five counts of theft by deception, the day after she was arrested by Maplewood police.

Nidelka Mayers, 53, of East Orange was taken to the Essex County jail on Wednesday, police said.

Police said that two of their detectives had been investigating Maplewood Bridal at 1611 Springfield Ave. before the arrest.

"The victims reported that they had each purchased and paid for wedding dresses dating back to August 2022 but had not received them and have stopped receiving communication with the business," said Police Lt. Michael Palmerezzi.

On Thursday, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said they are now investigating as well.

Mayers appeared in Essex County Superior Court Thursday afternoon and was granted release, but must appear in court on May 22.

A look at customer comments on a bridal website shows that Mayers received largely positive reviews until last summer.

"If anyone needs a full explanation of what we endured ... please reach out to me!" wrote a woman on Sept. 2, 2022. "All I have to say is 36 hours before my best friend's wedding we had to go to David's Bridal to get the full bridal party dresses including the bride."

Another customer said they heard the business lost its lease, but they wanted some communication.

Angry complaints also appear on the Better Business Bureau website, dating back to last spring. And several people have left comments on the Maplewood company's social media, saying they still need to get in touch with Mayers about their wedding dress.

"This is extremely unprofessional, disrespectful!," wrote one person. "I just want my dresses back the way I gave them to you to be preserved or better!"

The Maplewood Bridal website now redirects to a different bridal popup, based in Paterson. That company says it's open Wednesday through Sunday.

A message on the company's voicemail directs callers to send a text. Patch has reached out to see if the company or Mayers has a response, and will update this story if more information is received.