Melbourne’s Addison Rose Deb Dresses has left many local teenagers heartbroken and parents financially strained after abruptly closing its store without prior notice. The dress shop in Keilor East shut down on 4 March, with an initial message suggesting a two-week closure. A subsequent note claimed that a break-in on 5 March had resulted in stolen dresses, following a series of customer complaints regarding delayed or missing orders.
The Victoria Police confirmed an investigation into the alleged burglary, while the shop’s owner, Jessica Arzanov, used social media to state that the closure was due to safety concerns and “harmful rumours.” However, numerous customers assert that these so-called “rumours” are genuine grievances about the store’s services and Arzanov’s management.
Many customers reported that their orders, some placed nearly a year prior, had not been fulfilled. Justine, a mother who ordered dresses for her daughters, indicated that while one dress was delivered months later, the other did not arrive before the event. Despite numerous attempts to seek updates and refunds through Arzanov, she experienced minimal communication from the owner.
After learning of the store’s sudden closure via her husband, who found it locked, Justine aired her frustrations on social media. This outreach prompted an influx of similar complaints from parents facing similar difficulties. In a call shortly after her post, Arzanov claimed the missing dress was being couriered, but Justine noted they had not provided her with an address.
Many parents have since turned to financial institutions to reclaim deposits, with one mother, Kate, receiving a refund after paying a $500 deposit for a dress that never arrived. Others, however, remain in limbo, unsure of the status of their orders or refunds.
Customers have reported Addison Rose Deb Dresses to the appropriate consumer authorities, as Australian Consumer Law mandates refunds for major product issues and prohibits taking payments when a timely supply cannot be guaranteed. A former employee revealed that issues with suppliers often led to delayed deliveries that were not communicated to customers consistently.
While some have sought alternatives from nearby businesses due to their poor experiences with Addison Rose, it remains uncertain what will happen to their orders or the store’s future as many customers await their refunds and dress deliveries.