Dearest Re/Dress NYC customers,

I am very sad to announce that Re/Dress NYC will closing it's physical doors on Sunday November 20, 2011.
It has been an unbelievable 3 years of bringing together fabulous fashions and you, our amazing customers & friends.

I know that you probably will be shocked and have a range of responses to this news. Me and my shopgrrls are going through the same feelings you are therefore, I've developed this FAQ sheet to help explain what's happening and why as much as possible.

Regardless of how long Re/Dress NYC has been open, I am proud of the successes that we have had changing the landscape of plus size fashion, indie style, shopping and body liberation. We've helped create a fun, friendly and supportive shopping environment where dignity, kindness and ferocity of style are the operating principles.

I am forever grateful to the amazing Re/Dress shopgrrls who have been a joy and pleasure to work with. Re/Dress will continue to evolve and this Brooklyn store and everyone who helped make it special, will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Please understand if a shopgrrl does not want to discuss the store closing news with you as they are also going through their own emotional process about losing the store, and their job. Read below how you can help us move gracefully through this transition.

xox,

Deb – Re/Dress NYC owner

RE/DRESS NYC STORE CLOSING FAQ

Why are you closing?

Part economics, part life change. I've worked hard for the last 3 years to make Re/Dress NYC a sustainable business and while we've had our great sales days and wonderful shopping events, the truth is our expenses are higher than our income. The signs on the horizon for the economy are daunting, therefore closing now seems like the best course of action. And my personal life-change journey is leading me to move to the Bay Area in 2012.

The online store will be continuing and expanding and I hope to be organizing traveling shopping events in the future. Re/Dress will continue to evolve which is one reason I am not interested in selling the business.

I have an idea to keep you open!
I appreciate that you would like to lend your energy and imagination to keep Re/Dress open but this is a decision I have not come to lightly nor am I likely to change it. I believe this is the right decision for me at this time.

When are you closing?
Our last day of operating will be Sunday November 20^th. We will be throwing a “farewell” INDIE+ shopping event featuring our awesome INDIE+ designers, Sweetooth Couture, Size Queen Clothing, LaDan's Closet, and more... that weekend November 18 & 19 so mark it down on your calendars! (ps. If you know any awesome indie designers making plus sizes send them my way!)

What happens to my store credit?
We will do our best to honor all store credit/cash amounts owed to our customers. It would help our accounting process a great deal if you would either spend your store credit or cash out your account before we close. We still have a store full of fierce fashions for you to shop for so come shop!

Can I use my credit online?

We prefer that you use your store credit in the store while we are open. Our two systems, online and offline are not compatible and making any kind of transfer will take time. I appreciate your patience as we figure out how best to make it all work. See below for ways to help us by forgiving your store credit balance...

When will you stop buying?
We will stop buying clothing 1 week before we close on Sunday November 13^th. But as we get closer to closing we will be even more selective than usual. The date is subject to change due to staffing availability. All of this information will be posted on our website and updated as we move forward.

What will happen to your Shop Grrls?
The Re/Dress NYC shopgrrls are available for hire! If you know of any awesome employment opportunities please let us know. They are extraordinary, creative, passionate and reliable folks who would be an asset to any team.

Bevin is continuing her work to make the world safe for people to love themselves through her many projects, detailed on queerfatfemme.com, including the monthly body positive dance party and cabaret Rebel Cupcake. She is also looking for a general practice law firm that would like to bring in her existing Real Estate Law practice and her eight years of transactional attorney experience, www.bestlittlelawfirm.com.

Will there be a closing party?
Heck yeah! There will be a chance to celebrate our fave finds, chat up the shopgrrls, hang out with your fellow customers and swap stories of “the dress that got away”. Our store closing party will coincide with our INDIE+ shopping event on Saturday November 19^th.

What can I do to help?

The best way for you to help is to SHOP and SHOP often! We will be still be buying clothing through early November and will continue to have amazing styles to choose from! Reminder, we buy everyday, so that means everyday we have something new for you!

I am committed to honoring everyone's cash/store credit owed. But also I would be very grateful to anyone who forgives the monies owed to them as that would help me with our closing expenses. Or as a thank you, you can trade in your store credit for an extra large reusable Re/Dress NYC tote bag. It's a great reminder of the fun shopping times we've had together. Every $10 of store credit can be traded for 1 bag. Shipping is possible.

If you are interested in trading in your store credit for a tote bag, you can email me at [email protected] or stop into the store and we will take care of it for you.

In addition we've created a Memory Book for you to write down your favorite Re/Dress NYC memories. This is a great way of sharing your feelings and love for the store and our staff, while still making it possible for us to continue our work buying and selling clothing and being a resource to you, our customers.

Please understand if a shopgrrl does not want to discuss the store closing news with you as they are also going through their own emotional process about losing the store, and their job.

If you have anything you would like to address with me, my email address is [email protected].