Popular bridal store chain unexpectedly closes 60 stores; brides left in dust

CHERRY HILL, NJ (WTXF) - Many brides are left wondering if they will have a wedding dress for their dream day after a popular bridal store chain, Alfred Angelo, closed all 60 of its locations with little to no warning.

FOX 29's Sabina Kuriakose talked to brides who were customers of the store in Cherry Hill.

"We already paid in full for our dresses," one bride told FOX 29. "We just want to pick them up."

Chaos ensued outside the boutique in Cherry Hill on Friday morning as dozens of brides rushed to the suddenly bankrupt retailer, only to find they were locked out.

"I was never informed that I wasn't getting my dress," one bride told FOX 29. "I found out through friends and social media."

Stacey Caltagirone and her mother Debbie were upset but determined to stay positive. Stacey's dress was slated to arrive within the next two weeks. She's hoping it still will be.

"I just feel sad for her," Debbie told FOX 29. "Because she found the perfect gown."

Even the workers were shell shocked, telling FOX 29 they only recently learned the brand was shuttering all 60 of its stores across the country. They spent the morning handing off dresses already delivered to the store.

Groom Emeka Anyanwu pulled out his receipt. He's out more than $700 for bridesmaid gowns.

For dresses not already shipped to brick and mortar buildings, brides were told to call an attorney's number posted to the storefront's door. FOX 29 reached out for comment, but to no avail.

"Nobody expected it in the industry," said Boutique owner Sue Maslowski of Jay West Bridal in Haddonfield. "Boutique Alfred Angelo's been in business since 1933."

Maslowski says the bankruptcy is a black eye on the bridal business. She doesn't carry the brand but is reaching out to brides who need help.

As one bride put it: "Planning a wedding is stressful enough."

The bankruptcy's timing may have a silver lining, though. Maslowski, who acts as the chair of the National Bridal Day Sale, notes that the massive sale begins tomorrow at hundreds of stores. It is the biggest designer discount sale of the year.