Sisters Olivia Clements-Fee and Charlotte Clements have moved their established Bridal shop to Millbrook where their experience and keen sense of style will help customers find the perfect gown to help them mark significant occasions from weddings to proms in eye-catching attire.
Downtown Millbrook just became a little classier with the arrival of a new Bridal shop called Menzies House.
The atmosphere in the shop is not uptight, and tears are not required while making the dress selection. The only drama customers will find at Menzies House is in the dresses. Owners Charlotte Clements and Olivia Clements-Fee are relaxed and focused, an attitude which helps their customers settle down to the task at hand- finding the perfect wedding dress. These sisters help brides-to-be find the gown that suits their shape, their event and their personality. They also sell prom and grad dresses.
The store is as glamourous as the gowns they sell, with images of style icons Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Munro setting the 1960’s Hollywood vibe. Comfortable couches, sheer blush curtains, lights and mirrors help the shoppers feel the sense of occasion and focus on the task at hand.
There are dozens of dresses, all of them brand new and created by top Canadian designers but without the designer price tags. These dresses are samples ranging from size 6 to 26 and are the works of designers including Paloma Blanca, Mikaella, Morilee and Blu. The dresses may arrive at the shop because the designer chose to tweak the fabric colour or the line of the skirt, but they are current models that come directly from the Toronto design houses.
Bridal gown purchases can be fraught with emotion. The pressure is on to look perfect, knowing the bride will be the centre of attention and will be photographed from every angle. It’s understandable customers seek support from friends and family in making their dress selection, but experience has shown the owners that when it comes to picking the perfect dress, fewer opinions makes the process go more smoothly.
Even before COVID, the owners encouraged customers to come with just one or two advisors. More opinions usually add to the tension. And there is no preschooler cute enough to be welcome in this shop- it is meant to provide a luxurious, thoughtful experience for the customers The store can accommodate two groups of shoppers at a time, and customers are encouraged to book ahead to avoid waiting outside until a change room becomes available.
The store is not new, just new to Millbrook. For the past six years, it has operated in the front room of Charlotte’s home in Peterborough. It’s an historical home that was built in the 1870’s for James Menzies, a tailor originally from Scotland. Charlotte and Olivia opted to use the home’s historical name as their brand, as designer firms are traditionally referred to as “houses”.
When the storefront on King St. became available, the sisters decided it was time to move their shop to a stand-alone location. It is quite a transition from quilting supplies to bridal gowns for their location. But like the former Quilter’s Bolt, Menzies House is certain to become a destination and draw new shoppers to the area.
Photo Karen Graham.
Charlotte owns and operates the stylish consignment shop, The Joneses, located across the street. She is also a photographer, which means she has a discerning eye and has seen her share of weddings.
A full-time paramedic working in Peterborough, Olivia decided to take advantage of a job-share opportunity to spend more time in the business. She will be splitting her time between the store and Peterborough Paramedics. In her career she has seen real drama, and her calm confidence is contagious for anxious customers.
Together they hope to help brides and young prom attendees find the dresses they imagine at prices they can afford. To learn more about this business or to book an appointment, visit their Facebook page under Menzies House.
By Karen Graham
