A Los Angeles-based private-equity firm is taking the 269-store David's Bridal and 10-store Priscilla of Boston chains for about $750 million. Men's Wearhouse, based in Houston, will buy the 511-unit After Hours Formalwear for approximately $100 million. The parties expect to close the deal in next year's first quarter.

David's Bridal, with headquarters in the Philadelphia area, was founded in 1950 and acquired by May in 2000, when the chain had 110 stores. After Hours, with head operations in Atlanta, was bought by May in 2001 when it operated 242 units. Both chains are mostly in open-air centers.

Locally based Federated's sale of the Bridal Group marks the latest in its disposition of May units that it does not consider part of its core business. Last month it sold the Lord & Taylor chain to National Realty & Development Corp. Equity Partners for just under $1.1 billion. It has also converted some 400 of May's regional department stores into its Macy's banner.