Simply Elegant Brides

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The observant among you may have noticed this sign temporarily appearing next to Stirling Sports in Victoria Street.

Original sign for Simply Elegant Brides revealed on Victoria Street, Cambridge in September 2020

Simply Elegant Brides was a business run by Elisse Mills. She originally opened the Sewing and Button Bar in Cambridge in the 1980s. She also made uniforms for the local schools and wedding dresses. The shop became Simply Elegant Gowns, then Simply Elegant Brides. Elisse became a source of advice for all aspects of wedding planning, including local venues, beauty (Nutrimetics) and catering services.

Elisse’s husband Bob Mills ran a dry-cleaning business and was also a long-standing member of the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Waikato Independent reported in 1972 that Bob had won the Thomas Steen Memorial Trophy for three years in a row. The trophy was for the local fireman with the highest annual attendance record.

Bob and Elisse lived for many years in one of the two Fire Brigade brick houses in Wilson Street next to the station. Only one of these houses remains – currently the premises of Nicklin CE Surveyors.

The Museum holds files with clippings on businesses and people in Cambridge. If you would like to see if you or your family feature, please get in touch.