FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana’s NewsCenter) – Hundreds of brides scramble to find a new reception venue as a popular Fort Wayne conference and reception center abruptly closes up shop.
Four white signs taped inside The Landmark Conference and Reception Center doors provide the only way brides know their reception is cancelled.
A staff member told me this sign has been hanging in "the landmark's" door since Tuesday, and that owner Roger Speicher told her Tuesday night they were permanently closing and not to return to work Wednesday.
Twenty four year old bride Cheryl Hoover says she put down a $2,400 deposit last week and $500 in December.
She says she can't get a hold of the owner and doesn't know if she'll ever get her money back. Hoover is trying to find a new place while her fiancé prepares for a yearlong deployment to Iraq with the Air Force.
“I know they're popular and it seemed to me that they would be making enough money, so I'm wondering are you pocketing my money and just walking away with it,” Hoover asks. “Why can't you pay your bills or whatever you have to do? I just yeah feel like they took my money and ran.”
Indiana’s NewsCenter is being told the bank forced The Landmark to close, but we haven't confirmed that.
Karen Smith of Huntington says her daughter’s wedding was scheduled for next Friday, March 26th. She says she can’t believe this is happening.
“On Tuesday they called the Landmark because they wanted to know how much it would cost to add ice cream,” Smith says. “Someone there gave them a price. The next day they were closed. That is heartless.”
Hoover and several other brides Indiana’s NewsCenter has spoken with say they'll have to spend more money to re-print invitations too.
Speicher didn't return our calls.
June Hoffman with the Wedding Connection in Fort Wayne says she may be able to help some brides.
“As President of the Wedding Connection in Fort Wayne and speaking for other members of the group, we are available to help couples locate a suitable alternative plan for their wedding ceremony and/or reception, that were originally scheduled at the Landmark,” Hoffman said. “Even though the Landmark Centre was not a member of the Wedding Connection, we feel strongly that all wedding couples should receive the best service even in the face of such dramatic circumstances. All aspects of a couple's wedding are affected by such closings and the Fort Wayne wedding community pulls together to help support positive outcomes for weddings.”
You can contact the Wedding Connection here: http://www.fwwedconnect.com/
The Landmark employed 38 people and has an A- grade with the Better Business Bureau.
The Better Business Bureau lists the company’s opening month as December 2005.
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