I would like to draw the attention of future brides ~ My future daughter-in-law has ordered PAID IN FULL for her wedding dress!

After the media drawing our attention to the problems at BAM she sent a few emails to Kathy Strukel (owner) ~ that went un-answered! It was only after her email stating she was going to take legal action did she receive a email telling her that her dress was in and when would be a good time for her to pick it up. She responded 4:30 tomorrow ~ Kathy sent a response Thursday 2/2/12 @ 4:30 she would be there! I left work early (WO pay) to go meet her to pick up her dress only to wait 1 hour and Kathy Strukel was a NO SHOW! What kind of businss owner is this? This should be a HAPPY and EXCITING time for a bride and groom NOT STRESSFULL!

We again would like to know the answer to two questions.

1 If an inventory or “consolidation” needs to be done then why is no one at the store? It takes people to do inventory and a daily drive by during business hours shows no one inside.

2 If a remodel is being done, then why is there no evidence of contractors working to separate the store back into two units?

Businesses are there to make money. I don’t know of any business owner that would close for reasons like this and then by appearance do nothing. It does not take long to conduct an inventory of a small wedding shop. It does not take long to separate one store front back into two. Viable businesses would be doing this work as quickly as possible and remaining open as much as possible in this situation. From postings on the WNDU website from customers who did manage to get their gowns, it appears that workers were telling people the store was closing and after there was no telling when people would then be able to pick up their merchandise.

We would recommend that anyone who is waiting to pick up merchandise, keep up the pressure. There is no reason, if what the owner is saying is true, that she can’t reopen the doors while nothing is going on in the building and give out the merchandise that is waiting there for her customers.

Heidi Prescott Please contact me via email today if you have a dress at this store. Tell me what you have heard and the concerns you have. This sounds like a huge stress on all of you. I’m trying to get to the bottom of it. Thanks! hprescott@sbtinfo.com (Market Basket, SBT)

Our Opinion:

Whatever this is it is being handled poorly. Inventories do not take 2 weeks in a small store like this to be completed. Stores like this do not close to “remodel”. This is one of the busiest times of years for wedding gown shops as many brides became engaged over the holidays and have been checking out fashions at winter bridal shows. The gown is one of the first things most brides start to look for once engaged. Also stores remain open during remodels to keep making money and services customers and have the work done during off hours. And if they really care about their customers they keep answering the phone and don’t let it go long enough that the local news station picks up the story. That is another question, just how long has the store been closed and brides have been worried till WNDU picked up the story? It just doesn’t happen in a day.

The WNDU statement said that Bride’s a la Mode would reopen on 2-15-11 however tonight on their Facebook page was posted this:

Brides a la mode is closed for an inventory and some remodeling. More news will be available on February 15. All orders will arrive on schedule and alterations are still available.

“More News will be available” is NOT saying they will reopen on that date!

Our recommendation:  If your wedding is still a while off, hold tight till the 15th. Don’t panic. If your wedding could be impacted by this closure because it is coming up soon, I would call the store and post to their facebook page to be contacted if they haven’t done so. If after a day or two you do not hear back, contact WNDU and let them know you are not getting through.

In our opinion we would recommend anyone relying on Brides a la Mode at this point to start formulating an alternative plan. Two plus weeks of closure for inventory or even remodeling is not a trust inspiring reason to close a shop.

There are several reputable gown shops with long histories in the Michiana area to check out. Bernardo’s for the Bride, Greta’s both of which are in South Bend, Stephenson’s in Elkhart and Treats in Plymouth.

from David Robin on Vimeo.

Join us Wednesday, October 5th 2011 6-9pm

for one of the best Bridal Shows in the area!

Avalon Manor

3550 U.S Highway 30

Merrillville, IN 46410

See vendors from 6-8pm and a fun fashion show at 9pm!

Tickets are $5.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door

Check out the wedding cake from the same event below.

Wedding Planner: Celebrated Events
Wedding Cake: Rascia’s Creative CAKEs
Reception Venue: Palais Royale