Blye’s Bridal Loft Enters a New Chapter
For decades, Blye’s Bridal Loft has quietly been part of Kokomo’s milestones, from weddings and proms to family celebrations that bring people back through its doors years later. Now, under new ownership, the longtime bridal shop is entering its next chapter with a familiar sense of care and a renewed focus on the community it has served since 1948.
Heather Duncan officially purchased Blye’s Bridal Loft in May 2025, following more than a year of working inside the business and learning its rhythms firsthand. Though she had never worked in the bridal industry before, Duncan says the transition felt natural once she stepped inside the store.
“I really believe things happen for a reason, and people are placed in your life for a reason,” Duncan says. “I was at a point where I knew I needed a change, but I didn’t know what that change was going to look like. Somehow, this is where I landed.”
Duncan grew up partly in Ohio before returning to Kokomo at age 21. Her professional background was rooted in health care, including work in physical therapy offices, long-term care, behavioral health and office management. Retail was never part of her long-term plan, and bridal was not on her radar. Still, she says Blye’s found its way to her at the right moment.
She had known of the store for years and had even purchased a dress there in the past, but like many residents, she had lost track of it over time. Blye’s Bridal Loft changed hands in 2019, when Laura O’Donnell purchased the business from the previous owners. In early 2024, Duncan came across a post that O’Donnell might be considering selling.
“I saw that and thought, that’s it,” she says. “That’s what I want to do.”
After several conversations, Duncan joined Blye’s as store manager in March 2024, with the intention of learning every part of the operation before making a final decision. Over the next year, she handled daily operations, ordering and customer service while working closely with O’Donnell. By the spring of 2025, she and her husband were ready to take ownership.
“It was important to me to make sure this was really the right fit,” Duncan says. “This store has such a legacy in Kokomo, and I wanted to honor that.”
Blye’s Bridal Loft has been part of the Kokomo community since 1948, long before online shopping and fast fashion reshaped the bridal industry. Duncan says its longevity comes from offering everything under one roof, including bridal gowns, prom dresses, formalwear, tuxedo rentals, shoes, jewelry and accessories.
Today, the store still offers those same services, with one exception. Alterations are no longer done in-house, but Duncan works closely with several local seamstresses and refers brides directly to them.
Under Duncan’s leadership, Blye’s has expanded its size range to include dresses from size zero through 32 and has placed a stronger emphasis on affordability. She says many brides today are paying for their weddings themselves or working within strict budgets.
“I truly believe every woman deserves to feel beautiful, no matter her age, size or budget,” Duncan says. “Whether you’re a flower girl or a grandmother, that experience should be consistent and welcoming.”
Community relationships remain central to the store’s approach. Blye’s partners with local businesses, including Olive Tree Boutique for hand-poured candles given to brides when they say yes, and White Lilies in Paradise, which provides roses for bridal appointments. The store also runs an ambassador dress program with high school students from seven area schools, who model prom dresses and participate in community service projects.
“These girls are smart, involved and confident,” Duncan says. “Building relationships with them has been huge for us.”
One of the biggest challenges is visibility. Blye’s is located on the second floor of its building, which makes social media its primary storefront. Still, Duncan says feedback since the ownership transition has been overwhelmingly positive, especially around customer service and the relaxed atmosphere inside the shop.
“I’ve seen girls come in nervous and overwhelmed,” she says. “By the time they leave, they’re hugging us and thanking us for not pressuring them. This part of wedding planning should be fun.”
Later this year, Blye’s will launch an exclusive bridal line called Marie Ike, available only at the Kokomo store. Each gown in the collection is named after women in Duncan’s family and circle, a personal touch she says reflects what the store means to her.
“It’s really special to offer something you can only find here,” Duncan says.
For Duncan, the most rewarding part of ownership is watching relationships come full circle. She recalls attending a wedding last fall and realizing eight of the guests were Blye’s brides.
“That was my moment,” she says. “It showed me how much word of mouth matters and how much impact a good experience can have.”
Blye’s Bridal Loft is located in Kokomo at 321 N. Main St. The loft can also be reached at heather@blyesbridal.com or 765-452-1219.
