Connecticut Attorney General's Office
Press Release
Attorney General Sues Runaway Bridal Store; More Than A Dozen Brides With Unfulfilled Gown Orders
April 27, 2009
Blumenthal filed the lawsuit, seeking refunds and other remedies, in conjunction with Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr.
Classic Images of Danielson sold bridal dresses, bridal party dresses, groom attire, accessories, and cleaning and storage of wedding dresses for more than a decade before closing abruptly late last year. Classic Images failed to fulfill orders starting more than a year before closing.
"Classic Images is a runaway bridal shop," Blumenthal said. "It has cost tens of thousands of dollars -- as well as panic, heartbreak and major inconvenience -- to couples planning the biggest day of their lives.
"Classic Images made the classic mistake of soliciting sales and taking money when it knew it couldn't deliver," Blumenthal said. "Our goal is full refunds for the brides, even if we cannot bring back the wedding. Tough economic times do not excuse -- in fact, they exacerbate -- the harm done."
Consumers who prepaid for products or services that they never received repeatedly tried to contact store owner Cindy St. John by phone, but most messages were not returned. When St. John did return calls, she repeatedly represented that she would provide the dresses or other attire, but then failed to do so.
"Classic Images broke the most basic vow -- betraying trust and commitment," Blumenthal said. "It took deposits, then failed to provide bridal gowns, and ignored consumer calls. Classic Images turned lifetime dreams into consumer nightmares for more than a dozen couples with unfulfilled gown orders. Other brides have lost treasured keepsakes because gowns were unreturned after cleaning.
Despite knowing that the store was financially incapable of fulfilling obligations to provide dresses, Classic Images continued to solicit business and accept payments and orders days before closing.