The gowns are moving to another part of town.
The Bridal Shop, a longtime Fargo business now on the corner of 25th Street and 32nd Avenue South, is relocating to 13th Avenue South.
With the move, the store will gain about 5,000 square feet, said owner Gretchen Ingbretson.
"We wanted to have a little more space to extend our services to our customers," Ingbretson said. "We wanted to be a strong resource for brides, to be able to hold seminars ... have more appointments at one time."
The Southpointe location will close at 3 p.m. Saturday. The new store, at 3223 13th Ave. S., is slated to open Wednesday.
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"I like the location. I think it's central for all our customers," Ingbretson said.
Ingbretson said she's made arrangements with customers getting married this weekend. For example, her staff will pick up tuxes from the grooms. Brides have been given emergency phone numbers.
The Bridal Shop was first incorporated in 1949 and operated in several locations in downtown Fargo until the move to its current Southpointe location in 1997.
Ingbretson bought the store in 2008 from Judy Benson, whose aunt Elaine Tennefos and mother Mavis Stewart had long owned the store. Ingbretson said her grandmother, Pauline Collins, was good friends with Stewart and Tennefos. She used to play in the store as a girl.
"We've had a great history here and have been able to grow. That's the reason for the move: to continue to grow," she said.
Ann Meisch, bridal manager, has been with the store for 35 years, working at five different locations. She said the move to the same avenue as West Acres and two other bridal shops is an advantage.
"We've been getting calls for three weeks, 'Have you moved yet?' " she said. "With a reputation like ours ... they search us out."
When The Bridal Shop was at 101 Broadway, it was across the street from Straus Clothing. The move to 13th Avenue makes the two stores neighbors once more.
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Rick Stern, co-owner of Straus Clothing, said the two businesses have long had a good business relationship.
"We're just very excited about it. The store is going to be just beautiful," Stern said. The former occupant of the space was Completely Home Interior Design and Home Furnishings.
In addition to The Bridal Shop, Tuesday Morning, a discount gift and home accessory chain, recently moved into the strip mall.
"We're going to have a very powerful block here," Stern said. "Maybe we'll have a parking problem ... it's a good problem to have."
Business profile
The Bridal Shop
- Ownership: Gretchen Ingbretson
- Where: Beginning Wednesday, 3223 13th Ave. S., Fargo
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Contact: (701) 235-0541 or info@thebridalshopnd.com
- Online: www.thebridalshopnd.com
Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5556
