New York City-based Kleinfeld Bridal could open as many as four Canadian stores if its Toronto store is a success, according to company co-owner Mara Urshel. The Canadian test store opens in early 2014 on the 7th floor of Toronto's flagship Hudson's Bay store. If successful, locations could follow in Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary's flagship Hudson's Bay stores.

Toronto's Kleinfeld store will the the first of its kind in the world - an enormous (20,000 square foot) full-service bridal salon (including private rooms and alterations) located within an existing department store. From what we've been told, the Toronto store will be stunning. It will replace office space and will include a terrace and skylights. Staff will be trained via NYC store management, and there are expected to be as many as 70 staff working at the Toronto location alone. Sales targets, needless to say, are high.

Readers may be familiar with Kleinfeld from the hit TLC television show 'Say Yes to the Dress'. Kleinfeld only has one store in Manhattan, so its potential Canadian expansion is significant and unusual for a company with only one American location.

Kleinfeld's Canadian operations may be a smart move, as Nordstrom is expected to bring its wedding business north of the border with its 'The Wedding Suite' concept.

Hudson's Bay already has Canada's most popular wedding registry. Kleinfeld will compliment that with an extensive wedding gown collection generally priced from $1500-upward.

We will keep you updated on Kleinfeld's Canadian expansion, including details of potential Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary locations.

[Kleinfeld Bridal website]

[Hudson's Bay website]