The Dry Cleaners Ruined My Vintage Dress. I'm Taking It To Small Claims Court- Is This A Realistic Response?

Location: Alabama

So a few weeks ago, I bought a 1960s Lilli Ann dress & coat set. I bought it for about 150, over that with shipping. If you know anything about vintage, you know good-condition Lilli Ann for such a price is a steal. Though the exact set is irreplaceable and I cannot find an exact version, current market value for similar pieces are on average 250-350 bucks.

Because I bought it very recently from an online seller, I had very detailed photographic proof of what the set looked like up until the point I dropped it off. I even have pictures from the day before of me wearing it.

Like I mentioned, this dress was very structurally sound. No holes or tears except one place in the lining that was completely unrelated to the damage I am about to mention. It was also made of a heavy wool + silk blend (no care label).

I dropped it off Thursday. I told the lady it was vintage and showed her the place on the lining that tore and asked her to be careful. Paid extra for spot cleaning.

Went back on Saturday. It was ruined. They tried to just hand it to me, but I always check before I take it out of the facility. I immediately looked at the worker and said, "what happened to it?"

On the dress and the coat, there is heat damage of some sort on the fabric- pernament distortion. Almost looked like it was burned, but nether less, irreversible.
Huge tear in the pit of the coat.

All buttons have thread damage, except for one, which was completely missing. No idea where it is, because all buttons were there when I left it.

Needless to say, it's completely ruined, and heartbreakingly, beyond repair.

A bit of pathos, sorry: I am a broke student. This was a paycheck for me. It was my favorite set. I was getting it dry cleaned because I was going to wear it to a conference this week. I feel cheated.

So on Saturday, I left the set with them because I didn't want to have them say on Monday when I went in that the damage wasn't there on Saturday. Before I left, I took detailed pictures of all the damage.

On Sunday, I printed the before/after photos to label and bring with me Monday to prove the damage. Made a copy for the cleaners and for myself. I wanted liability for the dress.

I went in today and presented everything and they brought my set out. The manager told me they don't do liability for old garments (liability sign on the back only says "age and condition are taken into consideration", and said the most they can give me is store credit. Not even a cleaning fee refund. When I told her I would have to pursue small claims, she said, "You can do that. They're not going to give you anything"

She just kept saying that it wasn't their fault because it was old. I've brought 1930s items in that were actually fragile, and they've been fine!

This was not minor damage. It's ruined. I would repair it if I could.

I am taking this to small claims. I don't have an attorney, or anything. I am just a young person asking for 150 + the cleaning fee in liability for the set I completely lost.

I sent my official letter today to the business officially saying within 10 days I will pursue small claims if they do not respond/negotiate a solution.

I appreciate any advice. I feel so lost!