Local bridal shop under investigation
Published on May 31st, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - A woman's wedding day is supposed to be one of the most wonderful days of her life, but if she has no dress just weeks before the big day, and the bridal shop is bouncing refund checks, she's got problems.
Lisa O'Connell of Billerica is one of many brides who does not know what happened to a wedding dress ordered from Wedding Perfections at 62c Montvale Avenue in Stoneham, a bridal shop owned by Theresa Giannino.
O'Connell ordered the dress in November for her July 22 wedding, and this week, like many other brides-to-be, she cannot reach Giannino.
"Last time I talked to her she said she was putting me in her 'problem file' and would take care of everything," O'Connell said.
But O'Connell has no dress, and Giannino closed the store Saturday after police responded to what one bride described as a "riot" outside the bridal shop.
Giannino has not returned phone calls.
According to Stoneham Police, checks dated May 19 and May 25 and given to customers as refunds were bouncing.
O'Connell filed a complaint, and she urged others to do the same. As of press time 17 complaints had been logged via the Attorney General's consumer hotline at (617)727-8400.
"If at least six people file complaints the case against her (Giannino) can go to Superior Court," O'Connell said. She got educated quickly of her rights by police and is even considering getting a court order to get in the Wedding Perfections store to look for her dress.
O'Connell and her bride's maids have paid $940 in deposits to Giannino. Sources close to the investigation say Wedding Perfections could owe tens of thousands of dollars.
Rumors around town say the store has changed hands several times in the last few years. Giannino took over in November. She has told some customers, including Paula Cunningham of Billerica, that problems with dressmakers were causing delays. But since Saturday no information has come from Giannino or the store.
Stoneham Police said Attorney General Tom Reilly's Office is investigating the case with local assistance from Detective Edwin Peek.
Hopefully, the authorities will act fast so a lot of special days aren't unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
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