Twenty five years after its opening, Kelly’s Closet, a locally owned and operated bridal shop located on McLendon Avenue in Candler Park, is planning to relocate two doors down to the previous Flying Biscuit property.

Kelly Hobbs, the owner of Kelly’s Closet, believes its defining element is its warm and inviting atmosphere that complements the neighborhood.

“It’s our vibe that really makes us unique,” Hobbs said. “We are 100% Candler Park. We are always listening and connecting with our customers, and I know that’s different than anywhere else. I picked the name Kelly’s Closet because I wanted the store to feel very personal and intimate.”

Christabelle Toso, a sales associate at Kelly’s Closet, said the boutique is a core part of the neighborhood and resonates with residents on a personal level.

“Kelly’s Closet is such a special part of this neighborhood,” Toso said. “We have brides who come in with their mothers, aunts or sisters, who also bought their gowns here. Others grew up walking past the shop, dreaming of the day they’d step inside, and some even fly back after moving away just to finally come in.”

Candler Park resident Ashley Reed said Kelly’s closet attracts beneficial customers for all of the small businesses within the neighborhood.

“It’s great to have a local bridal business in the neighborhood that brings foot traffic to other nearby businesses such as the Market, Gigi’s, etc,” Reed said. “In addition, there are so many larger bridal stores, so it’s nice to have a smaller store in the neighborhood that attracts those outside of Candler Park to the neighborhood.”

Toso said during the boutique’s private appointments,she is dedicated to being honest and helpful to the brides when they are trying on potential gowns for their wedding day. 

“I always approach my appointments with patience, empathy and authenticity,” Toso said. “I believe honesty and transparency are some of the purest forms of respect, and that’s what I give to every bride. I truly care about helping each person find their dream gown. Whether it’s here at Kelly’s Closet or somewhere else, I am just truly honored to be a part of everyone’s journey.”

Hobbs said she hand selects the collection of gowns in the boutique solely based on her intuition, finding one-of-a-kind designs.

“I honestly just trust my gut reactions,” Hobbs said. “I’ve been doing it that way for 24 years. I don’t plan the balance of styles out ever. I usually just buy what I like and hope the balance is right.”

Since 2001, the boutique has been transformed from a smaller shop with various products, to a larger, bridal-focused business. After relocating down the block, Hobbs plans to re-incorporate more non-bridal options throughout the store.

“When I first opened in 2001, bridal took up about 400 square feet, which is half of my original space, and the rest was just other stuff I liked,” Hobbs said. “When we expanded into the second space, we doubled in size, and so did bridal. Then, I renovated it about 14 years ago, and we turned it into 100% bridal. Now, I’m about to move down the block and will go back to my roots, bringing back some non-bridal inventory.”

In the new space, Hobbs plans to make the boutique only available through appointments to make the experience feel more personal and curated for the brides.

“After moving, I want the boutique to be more intimate and feel more exclusive,” Hobbs said. “It’ll book up in advance so brides need to get those appointments early. Otherwise, it will feel the same. I hope to continue to evolve and enjoy being part of the transformation this block is about to undergo.”

Toso said that when looking for her wedding gown, she got to see first hand just how much care and compassion Kelly’s Closet puts into their customers, which is the factor that sets them apart.

“Small businesses like ours really are the heart of the community, and I’ve seen firsthand how Kelly goes above and beyond to make brides’ dreams come true, including mine,” Toso said. “When I came in as a bride, I was one month postpartum, unemployed and just needed a gown that would ‘get the job done.’ When Kelly heard my story, she offered me a position in the shop to help pay for my dress. Because of her, I got to walk down the aisle in my dream gown, and I’ll forever be grateful. That’s the kind of love and generosity that defines Kelly’s Closet.”