BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Since the announcement of Hotel Henry's closure last week, many couples have been in limbo with no place to host their wedding reception.
7 Eyewitness News has heard from several people who have paid a deposit to Hotel Henry, who now say the Hotel will not be refunding their money.
Local developer Douglas Jemal says he hopes to change that.
HAPPENING NOW: I just spoke with Douglas Jemal. He says he will credit and refund any wedding deposits lost as a result of the Hotel Henry closure- as he hopes to purchase the venue. @wkbw
— Hannah Buehler (@HannahBuehler) February 22, 2021
Jemal is planning on purchasing the Henry, and if successful says he will credit all deposits.
"It's the right thing to do," he said via phone.
Jemal tells 7 Eyewitness News he will credit the deposit for the reception at Hotel Henry, but says if the couple has already gotten married or no longer needs the reception, he will refund the money.
He says since our story last week, he has had several inquiries of other businesses wanting to help out.
"I hope more people step up," he said.
7 Eyewitness News has reached out several times to Hotel Henry for a statement regarding the deposits. No one has responded yet.
Cassie Nguyen and Anthony Sciortino say they planned to get married at Hotel Henry last year but because of the pandemic, the wedding was postponed. The couple says they found out via a phone call with Hotel Henry that it would not be refunding their $5,000 deposit.
"It was communicated that they depleted their funds," Nguyen said.
The couple says they now filed a small claims court lawsuit in Buffalo City Court to cover their bases. They have started a change.org petition.
The New York State Attorney General's Office says it is looking into claims the hotel is not refunding deposits.
