After Thefts, Bridal Shop Calls the Whole Thing Off

A besieged bridal shop whose abrupt closure sparked a week of break-ins and looting has called off the nuptials for good.

Police said Bridal Designs was broken into at least three times since May 5, apparently by brides desperate for their gowns. Owner Bruce Anderson has said that as many as 100 dresses had been stolen.

On Thursday, customers were greeted with a note announcing the store’s demise.

“Due to the circumstances beyond the control of Bridal Designs, the company has now ceased operations forever,” said a letter taped to the window at 22540 Ventura Blvd. “This company can never recover from the damage of thefts that have occurred in the past few days.”

The note, signed by shop owner Bruce Anderson, said the business was filing for bankruptcy. Nearby, several frantic brides had posted letters of their own begging for their dresses.

Anderson said the shop had suffered about $150,000 in losses because of the thefts.

“The people who stole that merchandise have forced the closing of the business,” he said. Anderson said he plans to contact those customers who have paid for dresses so he can get them their gowns.

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Cyndi Lockwood said she had lost a $584 deposit but was able to recover her wedding dress by calling the designer in New York, who still had the gown.

“This is just like the worst thing that could ever happen to a bride,” said Lockwood, 43, a Torrance woman whose wedding is set for September. “I mean, everything else could go wrong, but your dress is just something really special.”