Name of business: Heart to Heart Bridal North, a full service bridal salon
When business opened: May 25
Owner of business: Janice Burkhart
Address of business: 3 W. Main St., Webster, at the corner of Main and Route 250
Phone number of business: (585) 872-9696
First (and larger) location: Heart to Heart Bridal, 72 S. Main St., Manchester, (585) 289-6523. It has been open since 2003.
Websites: www.hearttoheartbridal.net and www.hearttoheartbridalnorth.net
In three sentences, tell us how you, Sarah, ended up in this line of work.
“I was always interested in having a clothing store one day. My best friend and I always talked about it, from the time we were 12. Then Janice opened her store when I was a sophomore in high school and offered me a chance to work there when I turned 16.”
What are two memories from your career that stick with you the most?
“We knew there was a lot of interest in the business in the Webster area, and we found this location on Craigslist. I've also helped Casablanca (one of the store’s designers) at the New York Bridal Market.”
What makes your business unusual?
“We include alterations in the price of a dress. Janice does all of them. But, right now, Webster customers have to be willing to take their dresses needing alterations to the Manchester store, because that’s where she works. That store’s also three times as large and has over 300 just wedding dresses.”
What items do you carry at the Webster store?
“Right now, we have a small selection of wedding gowns, mother-of-the bride (and bridegroom) dresses and bridesmaid dresses, some bridal shoes and a line of real pearl, fine silver and crystal jewelry made by Carol Ann Bosek of Artisan Jewelry Designs. We do, however, have a big variety, and half of our dresses are silk. About 20 more wedding dresses are on the way, and I’ll be ordering again in the fall. We will also be carrying prom dresses starting in January, and I’m thinking about starting to make our own veils and garters. We’ll also be adding more#accessories and shoes.”
What is the price range of your wedding gowns?
“I consider us in the moderate range. We have really nice dresses. They range from $800 to $1,950, with most of them in the $1,200 to $1,500 range.”
How do you “sell” a wedding dress?
“I generally say a dress should sell itself. I want our brides to put on a dress and know it’s ‘the one.’ We’re not pushy.”
What trends are you seeing in bridal attire?
“Strapless gowns are big, but cap sleeves are coming back, too. More informal, destination-style gowns that are light and airy, like for a beach wedding, are also popular.”
Who does your window displays?
“I do. I try to change them once a week. A woman came in just yesterday and said she never liked stopping at the red light (at the four corners in the village), but now she loves it because she looks forward to seeing what’s in the windows.”
