Off the Rack Bridal Settles into Former Foreign 5 Space, Expands into Mens Wear
since opening in October, Off the Rack Bridal World has significant changes – and success
Sawyer Hoff, photos by Andrea Paulseth
Off the Rack Bridal World, which operated on Eau Claire’s Clairemont Avenue for over five years, recently moved to a new location in Chippewa Falls – one that was no stranger to formal wear. This past summer, Foreign 5, which had been in the bridal business for more than 50 years, announced that they would be closing their doors. Thus, a new door opened for Off the Rack.
After finding out their building on Clairemont Avenue had been sold, Luann Hale, owner of Off the Rack, thought they may have to close their doors until they learned about the space coming available in Chippewa Falls. After a quick turnaround, Hale got the keys for the iconic 123 N. Bridge St. location last September.
Moving from the 20,000-square-foot store in Eau Claire into the 14,000-square-foot, two-floor space on Bridge Street produced a few challenges for Off the Rack, though they were able to move in and fully open by Oct. 15.
Hale says the move wasn’t easy but that they’re slowly acclimating to the community and have seen great success thus far. “People are finding us, they’re not having any problems, so that’s exciting,” Hale said. “Things are changing, our dresses are being updated and we’re bringing in more of the current styles.”
Off the Rack’s main inventory is bridal and prom dresses, but soon they will offer men’s wear for rent. Garments such as tuxes and shoes will be available for rent and accessories like ties will be available for purchase. The tux companies they will be using are DuBois and Jim’s Formal Wear. Patrons can expect the men’s rentals to be available towards the end of January.
“We have more than 2,000 wedding dresses and we have more coming in,” Hale said. “We’re actually opening up a sale room so that we have more room to put new stuff. Even our mothers’ department is growing – well, as much as we can squeeze in – and we’re going to have more high-end designers.”
Learn more about Off the Rack Bridal World on their Facebook and visit them in person at 123 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls.
