A longtime Dallas flower shop has suddenly closed, leaving some brides scrambling to find decorations just days before their weddings.
Fete Des Fleurs, in the 100 block of Leslie Street, has operated for a dozen years.
Owner Darren Lekar said on Wednesday he and his partner Craig Peeples had run into serious financial problems and planned to declare bankruptcy.
But some customers said they were angry and unable to reach them by telephone with just days to go before their weddings.
"The most frustrating part is ante up and just say, 'I'm not doing your wedding,'" said Breanda Schroer.
She said she paid Fete Des Fleurs $5,000 for wedding flowers and decorations.
Her big day is Saturday.
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"It really pisses me off," she said. "I understand people have financial difficulties. But it's like, answer the phone. Return a call."
Schroer said she had to scramble to find another florist to do the job for another $5,000.
Landlord Ed Oakley said he changed the locks on the business because the rent hadn't been paid in three months.
Oakley said he was surprised because the owners had always paid on time.
Reached at his home in Oak Cliff, Lekar said the business had done more than 1,000 weddings over the years and gotten great reviews.
But he said the business was losing money.
"This is not intentional," he said. "We did not plan for this to happen."
According to court records, Lekar declared personal bankruptcy in 2010 and Peeples declared personal bankruptcy in 2009. Both cases were quickly closed.
