ORLANDO, Fla. – Sixty-two Alfred Angelo stores around the country closed their doors for good last week.
The news blindsided many brides-to-be and left employees jobless.
"I'm hoping that somebody opens this door and tells us what's going on, at the least, at the very least," said Suzette Rainey, who was waiting outside an Alfred Angelo store.
Employees of Alfred Angelo Bridal locked their doors for the last time after telling customers the company had gone bankrupt.
Some brides told News 6 they ordered and paid for their gowns months ago.
"I might not get my dress before the wedding or I might have to get another one," one bride said.
"Am I going to get it? Is it going to get sent to my house? Can I get to the store in time?" another bride said.
Store employees told News 6 they found out about the closure Thursday morning, but they started to become suspicious about a month ago.
First, they said, the entire store was 50 percent off. Then, customers could no longer get alterations. And finally, the store would only accept cash.
"To come to work and find that you no longer have a job -- that's devastating. Young ladies have already ordered their gowns and some of them have gotten calls that they're canceled," said Beverly Showell, the mother of a bride-to-be.
Employees said if a customer's dress had already been ordered and paid in full, they should receive it in the mail. For others, it was still unclear what would happen.
The company released a statement on its website Sunday, providing more information about the closures and offering an apology to customers.
"Alfred Angelo filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 14, 2017. As a result, all stores and wholesalers are closed. Margaret Smith is the duly appointed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee. If you wish to be contacted regarding your order status once information is available please send an email to: alfredangelo@mjstrustee.com," the statement read. "We will post additional information regarding the status of dresses on this web-site as it becomes available. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience and hardship resulting from this event. We greatly appreciate your patience. Thank you."