Belles & Beaus, a family-owned bridal and formalwear salon, is closing its doors a quarter of a century after Joan Branton founded it in July 1982. Belles & Beaus is the oldest and largest salon on the southside of Atlanta and one of the largest in the southeastern United States.

Mrs. Branton, her husband Lamar, and their son Lyle own the business and the building. Prior to establishing the bridal salon, Mrs. Branton worked for the U. S. Probation Office at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Atlanta. Mr. Branton is the head of employee training, and their son serves as the chief operating officer. After two-and-a-half decades of business, the couple plan to spend time with their 25 grandchildren.

Belles & Beaus has become reknowned in Atlanta’s bridal industry for offering everything pertaining to matrimonial attire “under one roof.” Weddings, proms, and other special occasions have brought customers, both local and international, to the 7,000-square-foot store. Among its many awards, Belles & Beaus was named Retailer of the Year by the Atlanta Bridal & Formalwear Association and received the 2006 Consumers’ Choice Award for bridal shops.

The Retirement Preview Sale begins today at 10:00 a.m. In addition to the stock, fixtures, display items, and office equipment, the building and the business are for sale. For more information, contact the Brantons at 770-461-4818.

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