New Owner, New Era for Treasured Moments
BOARDMAN, Ohio — More than five years ago, Sara Ludt found a location in Boardman that brought together many beautiful things in one place. The store was Treasured Moments Bridal and Formal, and it’s where she bought her wedding dress.
Today, she is the new owner of the business. Yesterday, a ribbon-cutting celebrated her ownership of the company that gave her a job while she attended Youngstown State University.
For 15 years, Mark and Lorraine Fulks owned and operated the bridal store on state Route 224 here, serving area brides and girls with styles for every occasion. At the time, Ludt, who had trained to be a seamstress since she was 15, was pursuing a degree in fashion merchandising at YSU when the Fulks offered her a job.
“When I came in to shop for my wedding dress in 2013, I was offered a job as seamstress,” Ludt said.
She worked at the shop until earning her degree, and then moved to North Carolina and continued to work for bridal shops.
“We moved back from North Carolina and I found out that the Fulks were selling their business,” Ludt said. “I asked if I could buy it.”
The Fulks agreed to sell. Ludt financed the purchase through Huntington Bank for $30,000 and now owns a business in the fashion industry.
“Right now the focus is homecoming for at least a month or two,” Ludt said. “The season will slow down after homecoming and pick back up starting in January for prom and bridal season.”
The shop carries a variety of designers for bridal, homecoming and prom.
“We have brand new designs from Sherri Hill, Maggie Sottero, Mori Lee, Jovani, Vienna Prom and Alyce Paris,” said Ludt. “We will be getting more bridal designers in September.”
Ludt is not alone in her new enterprise. Her former coworkers Joan Collins, a wedding consultant and Suzie Hartman, seamstress, now work for Ludt.
“I worked alongside Sara [Ludt] as a fellow seamstress,” Hartman said. “I remember when she came in shopping for her wedding dress and then got the job working with me. I really want to see her succeed.”
Collins worked for the previous owners and has nine years of experience at the business.
“Sara brings a youthful perspective, said Collins. “She has a lot of potential and has even brought in social media to the business.”
Ludt is in the process of updating the shop’s website, TMBridals.com, and increases the business’ exposure through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
“We update our social media daily,” she said. “We can offer deals to those who see us on Facebook.”
With a team of three employees, Ludt said she hopes to add employees as business picks up.
“She is my daughter’s age,” Hartman said. “I’m so glad she has this opportunity.”
Pictured: (From left) Jason Loree, Administrator Boardman Township; Tina Cummings, Sarah Ludt, owner of Treasured Moments Bridal and Formal; Joan Collins, bridal consultant; Susie Hartman, seamstress; Stephanie Landers, deputy administrator Boardman Township.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
