5 reasons you should care that one of Charlotte’s oldest bridal businesses is closing
After 35 years in business, Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery in Pineville plans to close its doors for good at the end of 2016. Owner Karen Chase has announced her retirement.
Chase, who has nearly two decades of experience in the bridal industry, said playing such a big role in someone’s wedding can be extremely gratifying. One of her favorite moments has been seeing a bride’s excitement when she comes to pick up her dress for the big day.
But for those of us not in the wedding industry, why does it matter that a dress shop in south Charlotte is quietly closing its doors? We have a few reasons.
(1) The memories.
Decades of brides made memories within these walls, spanning 35 years and five locations. There is no better bonding between a mother and daughter than when the bride walks out of the dressing room with tears of happiness, making eye contact with Mom and whispering “This is it.” In fact, depending on how old you are and how long ago your parents got married, your mom may have shopped here herself.
(2) The end of an era.
The dress shop’s closing symbolizes the end of an era. Chase says more and more brides are looking online for dresses, buying from retailers that will ship several to a bride’s home, allowing her to return the rejects. All of this happens without the oohs and aahs of family members (unless she invites them over), sales ladies and the bride in the dressing room next to her. Times, they are changing.
(3) The loss of a wedding expert.
With the shop’s closing comes the retirement of one of Charlotte’s great wedding experts. Chase takes with her a wealth of knowledge about the wedding scene in the Queen City. But do not despair – she hints that, although she’d like more time with the grandchildren, weddings are now in her bones and she can’t imagine staying away from the scene for too long.
(4) This doesn’t just affect brides.
It’s not just brides that will now have to look elsewhere for dresses. Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery has established the largest retail collection of mother-of-the-bride dresses anywhere in the Southeast. Chase often takes the opportunity to enlighten and remind the mothers that their outfits are actually quite significant: “Remember you are the hostess of the party — second in importance only to the bride. We just don’t ever share this with the groom!”
(5) Getting married soon? You could save a lot of money.
Everything in the shop must go. Between now and the end of the year, there will be huge savings on all wedding gowns, formal dresses and accessories. But it’s more than just saving a few dollars on a pair of shoes or a purse. How this really translates: With hundreds of dollars in savings, a bride on an average budget can now afford to sport a high-end dress on her wedding day.
Already hitched? You might want to go ahead and pick up something for your next wedding. You know, just in case.
Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery, 9101 Pineville Matthews Road, Pineville.
Photo: Melissa Oyler
This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 11:14 PM with the headline "5 reasons you should care that one of Charlotte’s oldest bridal businesses is closing."