Meet Amy Gelsthorpe | Bridal Shop Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Gelsthorpe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Helping people brings me so much happiness! I have found that through my businesses, Everlasting Bridal, American Trilogy, and American Trilogy Formal, I am able to help people feel and look their best. Speaking about Everlasting Bridal, the happiest part of being a bridal shop owner for me is the moment a bride knows she has found “the” dress. It is such an awesome experience, and to get to share that kind of joy is an incredible opportunity! Lots of happy tears!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My story has been an interesting adventure. I was a Stay-at-Home Mom for 18 years, and wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything. My husband and I always have had an itch to start a business, and talked about how well a Bridal Shop and Formal Wear Shop would do in our area. We didn’t start there though; instead, I started selling Beauty Counter and learned the skills I needed to run a business. When the pandemic started, I noticed a retail space in our beautiful downtown became available, and later that day was signing a lease for what would become American Trilogy – a boutique selling women’s clothing, jewelry, home decor, and more. As that business grew, we cleared out our storage room and started selling formal dresses and tuxedos for Prom, Homecoming, Debutante, and other occasions. Six months after opening American Trilogy, we were signing our lease for Everlasting Bridal. It took a bit of time to complete the build out and we opened in June of 2021. We expanded American Trilogy in December of 2021 to the space next door when it became available and opened American Trilogy Formal. What I learned along the way was have a passion and go for it. Find ways to reach your customers and be sincere. Challenges definitely happen, but focus on the areas where you can be successful. We focus on providing unique and memorable experiences for our customers and love meeting and working with them on finding their perfect dress.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am rooted in such a fun, small town, Monroe, GA. I love to show people around as there is so much to do and see. If my bestie was visiting for a week, we would definitely eat at Silver Queen, LR Burger, Amicis, and the Roe! After dinner we may have drinks at Southern Brewing Company or South on Broad. If we had a sweet tooth, we would definitely go to Blue Rooster for some baked goods and Scoops for ice cream and vintage candy. We would go shopping at the cute downtown boutiques, of course stopping in American Trilogy, Peachy Keen, Epiphany, Southern Roots, Elevate Outfitters, and Salt Box Lane, followed by some antiquing in The Mercantile, Hodge Podge and Vintage Revival at the Cotton Mill. For her little ones, we would go to the Story Shop which has the cutest set up for kiddos. If we wanted to burn off some steam, we would go Axe throwing at Southern Ox.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband and my children are my driving force! Their support and spirit about our family businesses are so contagious, and even on my bad days they keep me going! There is no way i would be able to achieve all i do without them.

Website: everlastingbridal.com

Instagram: everlastingbridalmonroe

Facebook: Everlasting Bridal Monroe

Image Credits
Photographer: Brian Ingram Make Up Artist: Leigh Wolf