Lights Out For Priscilla of Boston

By Paul Pannone

After 65 years Priscilla of Boston ceased operations on December 31st, 2011. The high-end bridal boutique that got its start on Newbury Street in 1945 and shot to prominence after making Grace Kelly’s wedding gown, is now closed. The final day of sales was December 10th, 2011.

On Friday, December 30th, 2011, 19 national locations systematically shut down operations. Priscilla of Boston corporate offices in Charlestown, MA, also closed as part of the shutdown. The Priscilla shutdown affects over 60 people in Massachusetts with over  40 in the corporate office.

Grace Kelly wore a wedding dress by Priscilla of Boston in her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956.

Changing times, lower spending and lost attention to consumer shifts are blamed for the closure. Since 2007 the company nearly doubled its number of stores from 10 to 19, which in it self was a self-inflicted invitation for disaster.

eWedNewz sources connected to the story say the success of Vera Wang (affordable) products in David’s Bridal stores cannibalized sales from the pricey Priscilla of Boston products in their stores.

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2012