If you were to frequent our salon on a typical bustling weekend afternoon you would find it full of happy brides, of boisterous groups of bridesmaids debating between shades of blush, and dozens of proud mothers and soon to be mothers-in-law waiting patiently for
the gown. You would find a swirl of commotion as consultants hurried back and forth with gowns draped over their shoulders and veils trailing behind.
But amidst all the hubbub you would likely find an older gentleman in black turtleneck and signature sport coat surveying the scene from his post next to the front desk. Quietly he would watch over the bright lobby taking care that all was well in the little kingdom he helped build. When he would introduce himself to passing groups he would point to the golden Betsy Robinsons logo on the wall and say light-heartedly that he was Mr. Betsy. Todays post is a special dedication to him as I sadly inform you that over the weekend he passed away and will no longer be our beacon in a sport coat at the front of the salon.
Known among us as Mr. Betsy or Mr. Allen or even as Big Pops, Allen Robinson was a constant fixture at the salon. Together with his wife, Betsy Robinson, he helped to build the salon into the name and place that it is today. The couple were married in 1972 and with the help of Allens business prowess his family department store was transformed over the years into Robinsons Bridal and Formal and finally into Betsy Robinsons Bridal Collection. It has grown into one of the most trusted names in bridal in the entire region.
Allen was active not only at the bridal shop where he could always be called upon to fetch a gown, but he was also active in the community. He helped to found the Summit School for dyslexic children in the Annapolis area, served as its Chairman of the Board for eight years, and continued to serve as an active board member. He was also on the board of the Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital and served on boards for the Alzheimers Associations of Maryland and the Red Cross.
He was a spirited talker and a force to be reckoned with. He was a shrewd and studied businessman who delighted in going over the salons numbers each day, but his heart was unexpectedly big and kind. It was because of him, because of the example that he set and the kindness that he showed to all who worked here and all who came here that we have come think of ourselves as a family. It would be easy to assume he was a man who cared about the bottom line, because he sure did love the bottom line, but knowing him its even easier to see him as someone who cared about so much more.
He took an interest in us, in every member of the Betsy Robinsons team. He and Betsy invited us into their home on numerous occasions. He met many of our family members and was always quick to strike up a conversation. He took great interest in our brides and in their families. He left an indelible mark on those he met, on those who worked for him, on those in his community and on so many people in the bridal world.
He leaves behind his family of Betsy, their two daughters, a son-in-law and three grandchildren, but he also leaves behind a legacy and a legend. He will remain as much a fabric of the salon as the organza and lace gowns that hang in it. We take pride in working hard and doing our very best for our brides, but make no mistake, we do it for Mr. Betsy too.
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{Lindsey & All of us at Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection}