A Canberra bridal store that's sudden closure has left brides-to-be across the region without their dream wedding dresses says it has only shut its doors temporarily.
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CEO Chris Freeburn said Fyshwick's Hills in Hollywood will re-open on Monday, but on an appointment-only basis to begin with.
Mr Freeburn, who acquired the Hills in Hollywood brand a couple of months ago, said he would fly to Canberra on Thursday to assist the business.
Fyshwick's Hills in Hollywood was previously believed to have gone into liquidation, leaving customers across the territory and beyond anxious about the future of paid gowns hanging in warehouses in Australia and overseas as suppliers await payment.
It is one of nine Hills in Hollywood franchises across Australia. The stores are independently owned and operated.
The closure comes after Hills in Hollywood's Indooroopilly and Sunshine Coast stores went into external administration in September.
More than 170 customers affected by the closure have aired their concerns and shared information on a Facebook page, where many panicked brides-to-be have voiced their fears for the future of their gowns and difficulties contacting the store and its suppliers.
In a letter posted on Facebook, owner Eileen Arnold has stated her Fyshwick business has not gone into liquidation or administration and said she was working to help brides with their orders.
In a statement posted on the social media site, Ms Arnold said she would do her best to provide brides with their dresses before their weddings.
"I am here to help, I have not run away, I have not stolen money, I have not illegally mismanaged my business, I have not ripped any of you off," she said.
"I'm trying my hardest at the moment to get your gowns while I work through this very personal, emotional time."
About 20 brides and their mothers rushed to the store on Saturday after hearing on Friday that it had closed, according to one customer.
The bride - whose dress has been paid for in full - did not wish to be named, but said she was there when an unknown woman let them into the locked-up premises.
The Canberra Times understands that a few brides were able to pick up their dresses that were tagged with their names, but the rest left empty handed.
Customer Alyce Gainsford was $400 away from paying off about $3000 worth of wedding attire, including a wedding gown from major US supplier Allure.
She was shocked to discover the store had closed and has been struggling to get in contact with it and suppliers since.
"The dress I had ordered [in April] had taken seven months to make," she said.
"It's one of these things you dream about your whole life."
Sarah Drew is one of the lucky ones and picked up her dress before the store closed.
She became suspicious when her dress pick-up date was delayed and the business changed names.
"They tried to insist on keeping it in the store until I required alterations, so I made sure I took it out of the shop that day," Ms Drew said.
