Tucked away on the second floor of an unassuming brick building in Pikesville lies an oasis of tulle and satin: Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection. Inside, pop hits like Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” drown out the occasional blaring horns on busy Reisterstown Road. When brides come in for their appointments (usually with mom and friends in tow), plush floral chairs provide a welcome rest from the hustle and bustle outside. Endless rows of dresses wind throughout the store, each dotted with mirrors where brides catch their first glimpse of themselves in “the one.”
Inside, owner Mallory Tarschis doesn’t just sit behind a desk and do paperwork (though there is plenty of that)—she also styles brides-to-be, plans events, greets customers, and even helps with dress alterations. Going from customer to owner in just six years is still unbelievable to her.
In 2019, fresh off a move from Ohio to Maryland for her husband’s job, Tarschis walked into Betsy Robinson’s to shop for her own wedding dress. After an unforgettable experience, Tarschis knew she wanted to help others feel the same way. Already on the hunt for a new job, it seemed like fate, and she returned to the store a year later in a new role: bridal stylist.
“It wasn’t the plan, but I’m so lucky that it turned into the plan,” says Tarschis.
Not long after joining the team, Tarschis heard that Betsy Robinson herself was preparing to step down as owner. After over 40 years of bringing brides from all over the Mid-Atlantic to the Baltimore area, Robinson’s retirement announcement was big news. Her legacy was sewn into the fabric of the local community, and Tarschis knew she wanted to be the one to continue it.
She took a leap of faith and started a conversation, asking what Robinson’s plans were for the store’s future. Just eight months after starting as a stylist, Tarschis suddenly found herself as the new owner.
“It’s just one of those really meant-to-be things,” says Tarschis. “Both Betsy and I are big believers in fate and signs. I feel so blessed that she entrusted me with such a big torch to take over.”
Since taking ownership in 2021, Tarschis has stayed true to the principles that Robinson founded the store on decades ago. “She really taught me how important relationships are,” says Tarschis. “I take a lot of pride that we’re not salesy. We’re not going to push you.” If a bride comes in and can’t find her dream dress, Tarschis directs them to another local store that she knows will be a better fit.
With decades of dress-selling behind them, the shop is no stranger to multi-generational “Betsy Brides.” Mothers, daughters, and even granddaughters have all stepped through the store’s doors to find their dream dress. Tarschis says witnessing those family connections is one of the best parts of her job.
“It’s such a blessing for me to just take a back seat and watch them create such a core memory,” she says. “I definitely get emotional in those times.” Even some brides who have moved away from the Baltimore area make a point of returning home to shop at Betsy Robinson’s, hoping to carry on their family tradition.
Tarschis wants to make sure brides feel comfortable from the very beginning of their dress shopping journey, whether they’re a legacy “Betsy Bride” or a first-time visitor. Before they come in for an appointment, brides fill out a form that details what they’re looking for in their dream dress. There’s even a spot to include photos, so all that Pinterest inspo they’ve been saving up doesn’t go to waste.
When they arrive for their appointment, they discuss their budget and expectations with a stylist. Next, brides have the opportunity to look around the store themselves, a feature that not all shops offer. “I think a lot of brides prefer to have a little bit of control of the shopping experience, and rightfully so,” says Tarschis. “They want to walk around, touch, feel, see.”
After trying on an array of stylist-chosen dresses and ones they pull themselves, brides revisit their favorites until they find “the one.” Tarschis’ advice for brides worried about finding their dream dress? Trust your gut.
“I always say you could try on pretty dresses till the end of eternity,” she says. “But what do you put on that makes you feel the most beautiful, the most like yourself? Just have fun with it. Let us do the heavy lifting.”