The Bridal Aisle, Hillsdale’s bridal boutique located next to Smith’s Flowers on North Broad Street, finally closed its doors with a sidewalk sale on July 11 after being closed for four years and reopening briefly in March.
Bridal Aisle owner Sandy Rupp — who lives and works in Ohio — changed the window display occasionally over the past four years, so the shop appeared open.
The building was technically for sale, but not listed, Smith’s Flowers owner Jane Steward said.
Because the Bridal Aisle still had so much inventory, Steward suggested to Rupp a collaborative effort: if Rupp would reopen the store and provide staff members for the weekends, Steward would help liquidate the inventory. The store reopened in March as “Smith’s Next Door” under Steward’s name, but no new inventory was added.
When most of the dresses sold, Rupp asked if Steward would continue the project alone.
Smith’s Flowers could not continue the venture, so the Bridal Aisle closed permanently. There are no plans for the building yet, and the closest bridal boutique is now Patty’s Apparel and Bridal Shoppe in Quincy.
“We know flowers, but we don’t know dresses,” Steward said. “It’s a negative thing, but at the same time, Rupp liquidated. She is better off for it, and the community is better off for what she did.”
Steward bought a prom dress and a wedding dress there in the ’80s, and the store has provided for many other women since.
“She sold some beautiful dresses out of there last summer up until not too long ago,” Steward said. “She made a lot of brides in the area very happy.”