
Aug 18, 2008 10:02 pm US/Pacific
Call Kurtis: Broken Vows?
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
We told you last month about a popular wedding venue in Placer County shutting down, leaving dozens of brides and grooms scrambling. Some of them were promised refunds after I got involved.
When they didn't get their money, it was time to try again!
We have two businesses in Rocklin that got into a fight. The Zinfandel Grille at the Rocklin Park Hotel shut down. When we last reported this story, our brides and grooms were promised refunds.
So why did they struggle getting them?
"I'm pissed. That guy has skipped with our money, "says Patti Diamond, Rocklin resident.
Patti Diamond wants her $500 deposit back from the now closed Zinfandel Grille in Rocklin for her daughter Sara's upcoming September wedding.
"It's difficult to know who's telling the truth, it's an ugly situation over there
finger pointing, blaming, it's unfortunate," says Diamond.
A business dispute between the restaurant and its landlord, the Rocklin Park Hotel ended with the Grille closing in June. Brides and grooms, some just days away from their weddings, were left hanging.
"When it first happened, it was panic, now I'm angry," says Debbie Masciovecchio, Roseville resident. Debbie and her fiancé, Paul, had to move their wedding planned for this weekend.
They also want their 250 bucks back.
"I'm trying to get past the anger, plan the rest of my wedding and enjoy my day," says Masciovecchio.
The Grille's CEO James Regan told us in late June, he'd give refunds.
"If they'd like their money back, most definitely," says Regan.
And Rocklin hotel partner, Robert Leach held a meeting last month, promising a room full of brides and grooms he'd find another caterer if they still wanted their wedding in the rose garden on his property, just behind the now closed Zinfandel Grille.
"Our goal is to honor the contracts," says Leach.
But some like Debbie and Patti decided to move their wedding.
"The anxiety that they put everyone through was too much so my trust was broken and I wanted my money back and I wanted to move the event to another location," says Diamond.
So both Patti and Debbie have tried for the past month, to get their refunds from James Regan. But they say he doesn't respond.
"Dishonest man. I'm surprised that he's able to face anyone at this point... knowing his name, his business has been on the news," says Masciovecchio.
So what's going on? We spoke with Regan yet again.
He says he's on the brink of bankruptcy and claims he only had half their money.... the hotel has the other half.
The hotel told us that's an outright lie. After our most recent call, Regan surprised everyone, by refunding Debbie and Patti their full deposits.
"A wedding is an expensive venture so it would be that much more towards the bottom line," says Diamond.
"I'm looking forward to our wedding day, I'm looking forward to our honeymoon and for our lives to move on," says Masciovecchio.
James Regan says he's already refunded dozens of couples their deposits. We heard from an Auburn man today, who tells us his daughter still hasn't gotten her $900 deposit back and was told by Regan, that she wouldn't.
This is why you don't want to put down a big deposit for an event.
Again, we'd like to point out the Zinfandel Grille in Rocklin is not affiliated with the Zinfandel Grilles in Sacramento, Gold River or Folsom.
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