The one thing good about this place is that they have a nice selection of items and you can generally get everything you need for a communion in one place. The MAJOR Negative to this place is that you are paying bridal salon prices for a discount store experience. Putting aside the fact that this place is in a stuffy basement of a house, the overall experience itself was sub par compared to the experience I had buying my older daughter's communion outfit last year at a bridal boutique. At the bridal boutique, you tried on the sample dresses in the store but once you selected the dress you wanted, they ordered you a brand new one. However, at Thistles N Things you go home with the dress that was on the rack and that was tried on by lord knows how many other kids. So I paid $350 for a designer dress that had a few beads missing and a few loose strings. Additionally, when my 6 year old was trying the dresses on, the owners were on her case about touching the beads etc.. because they sell the dresses off the rack. So nothing about the experience or the ambience of the store made my daughter feel like a princess. Next, the veil was out of stock so they ordered a new one and when I went to pick it up it was still folded up in the small little plastic package it came from the factory in. So when I got home and took it out of the bag it was a wrinkled mess. By comparison, at the bridal boutique, the veil which was the same price came nicely steamed out and hanging on a hanger in a garment bag. Lastly, we felt quite rushed because we had an hour appointment (which goes quicker than you think when you are trying to buy the whole ensemble). So my daughter was rushed to pick out a pair of shoes, which she did. They were out of stock in white so they ordered them for her. The owner tried it on her in a different color with a thin stocking material but I told her I had a slightly thicker knee high sock I wanted it to fit with and the owner said (quite condescendingly I might add) that the sock shouldn't make a difference with a properly fitted shoe. Well guess what? It did make a difference and the shoe is quite snug. And here is the icing on this mediocre cake...the receipt says all sales are final, which they didn't tell me in the store before I paid. So now I am stuck with a $350 dress with loose beads, a crinkled up mess of a veil that I have to try to steam out without destroying the beads that are not very securely attached, and a tight shoe that my daughter will never wear. So beware of what you are getting yourself into if you chose to shop at this store. Whether your concern is about the experience for your child or the actual quality of the merchandise, or both, you may want to explore other options first. read more
