LI Bridal Store Loses 600 Samples In Fire, But Brides' Gowns All Saved

MASSAPEQUA, NY — A fire spread to several businesses on Broadway in Massapequa on Sunday afternoon, police said — including a well-loved bridal store that's been in business for more than 50 years. But brides who have already purchased their gowns do not have to worry — all the customers' gowns were saved, the owner said.

Speaking with Patch, Roselynn Fiumara, co-owner of Bridal Reflections, said the loss was tremendous: "We lost virtually almost all of our inventory," she said. "All the wedding gown samples — whether they're totaled and have to be replaced or can be cleaned and restored, that still has to be determined."

But, most importantly, all the bridal gowns that have already been sold and are waiting for their Big Days are thankfully safe, Fiumara said. They were stored on the complete opposite side of the building from where the fire broke out, she said.

At least 600 to 700 sample gowns, headpieces, veils and furniture were lost in the fire, Fiumara said. "It's a huge loss," she said. And, in a cruel twist, the business had just reopened in February after a three-month renovation.

Heavy, black smoke could be seen emanating from the shops on Broadway at Central Avenue, including Bridal Reflections.

The bridal shop owners said they suffered a "small electrical fire" in their basement." The family-owned business said their shops in Carle Place and Manhattan are operating normally.

The Massapequa, Seaford, Wantagh and Amityville fire departments responded and extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported.

The mother-of-the-bride space, located in another area, was unaffected; that space will now be utilized for fittings while the fire-ravaged showroom is rebuilt, Fiumara said. "We're very lucky — that mother-of-the-bride area is where our offices are, all the files." The mother-of-the-bride samples will be moved — and no weddings will be missed, Fiumara said.

"People have been walking in, off the street, panicked — and I get that," she said. "But we're being very open about this, trying to contact everyone. We haven't missed a wedding in 52 years — and we won't miss any now."

Fiumara said the fire sparked an outpouring of heartfelt community concern.

"Our staff acted immediately and grabbed the gowns," she said. Neighboring businesses also helped, including Coffee Grinds. "Past employees showed up when they heard; past tenants, who are no longer in the building, they also came to help. It was a truly amazing neighborhood effort," she said. "People were sending food, running up and down to help. Just amazing."

Fiumara added: "Out of a terrible thing, it was a best-case scenario. But my heart breaks for the brides and their families, how worried they must have been. We've been getting calls from Staten island, New Jersey, Connecticut, after they hear this on the news. These brides all have their own lives and stresses. It's one thing if the wedding is in December and another if it's May 15 — and another, if they are getting married this weekend," Fiumara said.

But no bride has to worry, she emphasized — the gowns are safe. "We have the gowns. Everything is sewn and ready to be pressed," she said.

Owners are seeking a spot to store those mother-of-the bride gowns in the interim, while the space is used for bridal purposes, Fiumara said.

Again, other businesses have stepped up, offering storage space; other bridal stores have said they would help with alterations. "People have been amazing," she said.

Fiumara was not at the shop when the fire broke out and when she saw the messages on her phone, she said: "If I could have flown here, I would. It's your worst nightmare. But at the end of the day, everyone is okay, the building is okay — and the customers' gowns are okay, most importantly."

She added that the business has withstood challenges before. "This is life. We've been though COVID, Hurricane Sandy, so many things in 52 years. This is one more thing — and we'll get through it. We've never missed a wedding yet, and we will not miss a wedding now," she said. "We have an amazing team and an amazing community and whatever we need to do to make everything right, that's what we'll do. We'e in the business of making people happy on their special day."

Nassau County fire marshal and arson bomb squad detectives were on the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation, officials said.

In a message on Instagram, owners wrote: "We are assessing the situation as this just occurred. Rest assured, our clients come first. Please be patient as we work on getting things back to normal. Thank you for all the kindness and support you have shown."

Those with questions or concerns should email info@bridalreflections.com; updates will be coming soon, owners said.