I read many negative review on other sites, but decided why not try them out and see for ourselves. My mom and I shopped together and for the most part, my experience was fabulous!
Lori is definitely who to ask for. She was incredibly nice, ...knowledgable, and made me feel very comfortable. She generated excitement with sincerity and was never pushy. She was honest about what cuts and shapes fit my body the best, and was open to anything I wanted to try on.
I found a favorite, but wanted to check out the other shops, so we made a follow up appointment for the following Saturday morning. They were much busier, but still made the time to let me try on my favorite and accessorize. WHile doing so, my mom started asking one lady who was available about alterations, as I wanted straps added. This person was incredibly knowledgeable, suggested so many different ideas about straps and other alterations, and basically helped us decide what all alterations I would do. It wasn't until my mom thanked her for her time and asked her name that we found out she was the owner!
It was very incredible to us that she took her time on that busy day to discuss something like adding straps. We could tell she very much takes pride in her work, and won't take any B.S., even from customers. I told her I would be writing a review about our fabulous time in the shop, and she looked me right in the eye and said, "you're not just saying that, are you. I can tell you're being sincere."
The downsides-
I live out of state, and made very clear to everyone we worked with that I would be traveling back for alterations and the alterations person needed to know I had a somewhat short timeframe for any follow up appts after the initial one. I was assured I wasn't asking anything too much, my alterations would be simple enough, and it wouldn't be a problem at all.
Unfortunately, the alterations person, Renee, was not given any of this information. To Renee I would give 5 stars for quality of her work, but zero stars for everything else. We explained on my first visit to her everything I wanted, (simple hem, some taking in, and with extra fabric, making the straps). Renee's personality was very dour, unpleasant, and closed down. She acted like we were all an imposition to her, and when we explained how we wanted the straps to look, she made a face and acted very doubtful about making it happen. We offered to ask the owner again (who gave us the idea in the first place, and said it had been done many times!) but she said no, she will make it happen. I was honestly very scared at this point that I would have a dress at all by the way Renee was talking to us and acting.
On my final visit, 5 days before the wedding, we went back for the final fitting. Renee had made beautiful straps, and we were so excited - except she forgot that we wanted them to criss-cross in the back. With some pushing from my mom, she tried them the way we wanted and they actually worked. Unfortunately this meant adding a few clasps. Renee said she'd have it done by friday. I said I was leaving town Wednesday, again was something we had gone over multiple times from the beginning. Renee did everything to get out of it, but in the end made it happen. This was Renee - fight everything, but do it in the end.
Overall, the shop was great. Great selection, staff, and (in the end) a great dress! Only thing I would ask is for real doors, not just a curtain for the dressing rooms!