David’s Bridal Files For Bankruptcy: What Does It Mean For FL Brides?

FLORIDA — David’s Bridal said Monday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but stores in Florida will remain open and brides who ordered dresses won’t have to scramble to find another gown.

The news comes after the company announced Friday that it was laying off just over 9,000 workers.

The store operates 17 locations in Florida, including:

• Altamonte Springs, 451 E Altamonte Dr. #1473, Altamonte Springs
• Clearwater Mall, 2637 Gulf Bay Blvd., Clearwater
• Coral Gables, 37-41 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
• Ft. Myers, 4224 #8 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers
• Gainesville, 3965 Plaza Blvd. Suite 20, Gainesville
• Jacksonville East, 13321 City Station Drive Suite 155, Jacksonville
• Jacksonville South, The Shoppes at Southside, 9990 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville
• Orlando South, Millenia Plaza, 4665 Millenia Plaza Way, Orlando
• The Shops at Pembroke Gardens, 14546 SW 5th Street, Pembroke Pines
• Pensacola, Airport-Davis Plaza, 5912 North Davis Hwy. Suite B, Pensacola
• The Pavilion at Port Orange, 5515 South Williamson Boulevard Suite 215, Port Orange
• Spring Hill, Nature Coast Commons, 1333 Wendy Court, Spring Hill
• Sunrise, 12605 West Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise
• Tallahassee, Governors Marketplace, 1634 Governors Marketplace, Tallahassee
• Tampa, 4503 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
• West Melbourne, Hammock Landing 205 Palm Bay Rd. Suite 105, West Melbourne
• West Palm Beach, Cross County Mall, 4254 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

The Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based company said Monday it had filed voluntary petitions for bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, and will seek similar protection in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Related:

• 6 More FL Bed Bath & Beyond Stores To Close In Coming Months
• 12 More FL Bed Bath & Beyond Stores To Close As Retailer Seeks Funds
• Tuesday Morning Store Closings Could Affect 24 In Florida
• Party City, With 48 FL Stores, Files For Bankruptcy

In a news release, David’s Bridal said both brick-and-mortar stores and online sales, including through its Pearl platform and vendor marketplace, will remain accessible to brides for their wedding planning needs.

Members of Diamond, the company’s loyalty program, can continue to earn and redeem points. Also, the company said it intends to honor gift cards, returns and exchanges.

The petition includes the usual “first day” relief, including authorization from the court to pay its workers, maintain certain customer programs and honor obligations to critical vendors. David’s Bridal will continue to seek buyers, the company said.

David’s Bridal CEO James Marcum said the company “continues to be challenged by the post-COVID environment and uncertain economic conditions, leading us to take this step to identify a buyer who can continue to operate our business going forward.”

Even before boutiques and malls were shut down by the coronavirus outbreak, traditional brick-and-mortar establishments saw a nosedive in revenue and popularity with the emergence of e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Walmart.