For any bride, one of the most exciting and important parts of planning her wedding is finding the perfect dress. Unfortunately, up until October 2021, brides in Corner Brook had no choice but to travel far from home to find the dress of their dreams.  

But now, brides, bridal parties, graduates, and anyone attending a formal event have a place to find the perfect outfit thanks to Colleen and Melissa Warren, mother and daughter owners of Colleen’s Bridal Boutique. 

Colleen’s Bridal Boutique began in the fall of 2021 and has been offering bridal, prom, and other formal wear from their shop on Caribou Road in downtown Corner Brook ever since.  

“If you happen to drive by … you can see our beautiful dresses displayed in the big front windows,” Colleen says. “We get to … know and help our customers get prepared for the most important day of their lives to date, whether it be their wedding, high-school graduation, university convocation, a prom, or social.  “... We get to be a part of it and help them make it their dream come true.” 

The Warrens host special events and bridal parties, as well as ‘trunk shows,’ which show off the latest fashions in addition to its appointment-only retail business.  

Colleen had worked in two other bridal stores in the area, but after they both closed there was no longer an option for bridal or formal wear on the west coast of Newfoundland. She felt there was a need to serve the local community and - with an understanding of the bridal business - it was the right business for her to open.  

“Being a small business owner makes me feel proud, I’m proud of creating something that’s unique and special to each and every customer that we have the pleasure of meeting,” she says.  

The Warrens found support through CBDC Humber and thanks to the SEA Program and General Business Loan program Colleen was financially prepared to invest in a business which required a lot of capital to get started.  

“CBDC along with NLOWE has helped tremendously! Without the help of the team of amazing people it would have been impossible to get up and running. They were very attentive and informative,” she says. “They talked me through what was needed and helped along the way! With their assistance with the start up funds and the SEA program I believe it set me up for success.