Some brides-to-be in New Jersey are demanding answers after a bridal store that took their orders and payments abruptly shut its doors without any explanation.
Bridals by Roma in Clifton was closed Tuesday, as customers waited in the scorching heat outside to find out what happened to their dresses.
Some were initially told the store was closed for renovations, and then were told the business was closing its doors for good.
Others weren't notified at all. Sara Bieber of Cedar Grove bought her dress in December 2010 and said she was "terrified" to find other brides waiting outside the store as she showed up at what was supposed to be her first fitting.
"My wedding is two months away," she said. "When I showed up here, there was a mob of women waiting to get in."
Bieber was eventually let into the store and was able to walk out with her gown. Another bride, Sara Juncaj of Highland Mills, N.Y., left the store with six of her eight bridesmaid dresses, all already paid for. She would have to call the dress company to have the rest of the dresses shipped to her.
Then there were brides who left empty-handed, like Rosa Favuzzi, who is getting married in November. The store doesn't have her dress, and they are keeping her $1,200 deposit. Favuzzi told NBC 4 New York she will try to call the dress company herself to finish her order.
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Michelle Hart of Hoboken thought something was wrong when someone from the store called last week and pressed her to pick up her dress by Saturday. She's not getting married for three weeks.
"I told her I wasn't around this weekend," Hart recounted to NBC 4 New York. "She said, 'No, you don't get it, you have to pick up your dress.'"
When Hart arrived at the store Tuesday, the doors were shut and no one would answer her questions. All she could do was put her name down on a list, along with dozens of other brides.
Eventually, she was let into the store. She re-emerged to applause from other anxious brides, gown in hand.
"Everything's here, the veil and everything," said a relieved Hart. "I'm still shaking, but very happy."
The store managers did not return calls to NBC 4 New York. New Jersey's Consumer Affairs Department said the business has a clean record, with no history of complaints.
Customers are encouraged to file a complaint with the department so that an investigation can be launched. The Consumer Affairs Department can be reached at 800-242-5846 or at 973-504-6200, or online here.
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