Bridal Snatchers and Starchers

(Charlotte, NC) The sudden closing of the La Bella Sposa Bridal Shop, allegedly the result of some shady business dealings, is giving soon-to-be brides added pre-wedding stress. From The Charlotte Observer,

“… So Gardner and about a dozen other bewildered brides dashed around the shop Tuesday afternoon grabbing free dresses, shoes and veils to make up for the money – and in some cases, the dresses – they lost when La Bella Sposa's owners went into foreclosure…

The brides-to-be who showed up … were snatching dresses and accessories they said didn't fit – but that they could sell online to recoup their losses.”

It seems that besides taking monies without supplying dresses, the owners, Brian and Shannon Starcher, also may have been recycling dresses and selling them as new.

Possibly the Starchers were in over their heads? According to Union County court records, they bought a $950,000 house on Smarty Jones Road in June 2007 after selling a house on Chilcomb Court for $437,000. Property records also show the couple bought a house on Pawley's Island in 2005 for $252,750.

Hmmm ...

The Better Business Bureau has more information concerning this sad situation.

Caveat emptor.

Posted by Chainsaw.