By John Flood
 Joe Hu/Town Crier Panache Bridal has been closed since May. |
Customers of Panache Bridal who were left without their orders after the downtown Los Altos shop closed suddenly in May now have the attention of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office.
The department’s Consumer Protection Unit is investigating complaints filed by customers abandoned without their merchandise, refunds or contact information about how to reach the storeowners. However, the CPU won’t talk about it.
“We cannot comment on pending cases,” said Suzanna Gal, CPU director of mediation services.
In a separate development, co-owner Jacques Robinson provided details to the Town Crier about the future of the store and the backlog of customer inquiries.
“Money issues (with customers) will be resolved by a liquidation and some form of bankruptcy proceedings,” Robinson said. “The store has no money.”
The property management firm wants the (retail) space back, Robinson said.
“Most people have their dresses,” he said. “Some people have incurred additional expenses and they want additional compensation.”
Robinson has not responded to e-mails sent to him, customers said.
“He (Robinson) has not e-mailed me,” said Lucille Lai, who was married June 9 without the dress she ordered from Panache. Lai is out $524.
“I have e-mailed him more than once (without a reply),” she said.
With no way to reach Panache, Lai purchased an off-the-rack dress at another store for her wedding.
Mother of the bride Kathleen Russell of Los Altos said she is still waiting for Panache to refund $163 that Robinson promised her for a dress cleaning that never happened.
Nancy Taniguchi, a Los Altos resident, is waiting for a reply from Robinson after attempting to contact him twice via e-mail. Taniguchi paid Panache $220 for a dress her daughter never received.
“We found a dress at another store that was double the price,” Taniguchi said. “My daughter was part of a wedding June 23.”
“It’s in everyone’s best interest to get this finalized as quickly as possible,” Robinson said. “It’s been tough all along the way. This is coming up to the end of the road.”
The CPU can be reached at (408) 792-2880.
