3,000 designer dresses to be sold in Sheriff’s civil auction

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Three thousand dresses worth hundreds of thousand of dollars are all up for auction this weekend following a civil lawsuit.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is holding a civil auction for all of the merchandise from Isabella Grape Boutique. Lt. Jerry Brewer said they are products the deputies have never had to sell before now.

The Bridal Boutique of Wilmington Owner Julia Lawson was there today anxious to see what will be up for grabs.

“I’m falling in love with everything I see,” Lawson said.

Brewer said everything must go.

“Everything is going to be sold,” Brewer said. “That includes mannequins, racks, hangers, everything.”

Brewer said it is all because the owner of Isabella Grape Boutique has a judgement against her for more than $100,000.

“They owe money and they have property,” Brewer said. “We can seize that property.”

Brewer said normally when this happens, deputies are auctioning off vehicles or equipment.

“This time, it happened to be 3,000 dresses,” Brewer said.

That means, the Sheriff’s Office has one day to try to get rid of everything, make back the money, and maybe have some fun while they are at it.

“It’s interesting,” Brewer said. “We tried to get some of the deputies to wear them, but they said no. Guys just didn’t look right in them, so you know we’re trying to sell this product as best we can.”

Brewer said the dresses could be sold for pennies to the dollar.

“You might have the opportunity to get a dress that was thousands of dollars and you may get it for $10 or you might get it for $100,” Brewer said.

It is the perfect opportunity for Lawson to stock her newly purchased bridal shop on Shipyard Boulevard. She also said you will be able to purchase the dresses for less at her store.

“Oh much less expensive, because we’ll be able to purchase them for next to nothing,” Lawson said.

That is why she plans on being here bright and early.

“First thing,” Lawson said. “I’m going to try not to camp out.”

The auction starts Saturday morning at 11 at Independence Mall in the Belk concourse. Brewer said you do not need to register, but you may want to get there early. He said the auction could go until 10:00 p.m. or until everything is sold.