A devastated bride was horrified to learn that the venue she booked two years ago for her wedding had gone bankrupt.
Ivanna Ramirez and Raymond Romero were set to get married at The Art Factory in Paterson, New Jersey. Ramirez described it as his dream location and chose the sleek industrial space, securing the reservation by paying the $12,000 fee.
But in the days before their wedding, the couple were horrified to discover from their event planner on September 5 that The Art Factory had filed for bankruptcy.
While they were initially shocked, the couple were optimistic that their special day would still take place, and the owners assured them that the celebrations would extend until 2025.
But a worrying Instagram post two weeks before the wedding set off waves of doubt, until a final blow on September 24 ruined all hope when the owners were ordered in court to stop hosting events.
Ivanna Ramirez (right) and Raymond Romero (left) were set to get married at The Art Factory in Paterson, New Jersey, on October 4.
Just a week before their wedding, the couple would learn via Instagram that their wedding venue had filed for bankruptcy after facing foreclosure. When the couple approached The Art Factory to request a refund, they were told they would have to file a claim to reach a settlement.
Upon contacting The Art Factory for a refund, they were told they would have to file a claim to settle.
They also filed a police report in Paterson, but that did nothing to help their impending plans, with 104 guests preparing to visit the unavailable space.
David Garcia owns the industrial site that was revitalized in 2018 through a loan from the 100 Mile Fund, which provides capital for a broad range of asset classes, with a concentration in the New York metropolitan area.
On the company’s now-deleted Instagram page, they posted an emotional appeal to disappointed couples, blaming the lender for “taking away their dreams and their money.” ABC 7 reported.
The outlet reached out to 100 Mile Fund president Billy Procida. He said he has sympathy for the customers and that although the place was great, it was poorly run.
“This is one of the saddest things I have witnessed in my 43-year career,” Procida said.
The bankruptcy filing was triggered by a New Jersey Superior Court judgment issued last month against his company over a $12.5 million loan in 2018, according to court documents.
The loan was intended to allow Garcia to carry out a massive renovation of the complex. But the ruling required the owner to pay rent and fees for his business to 100 Mile REIT Inc.
The outlet reached out to 100 Mile Fund president Billy Procida. He said he has sympathy for the customers and that although the place was great, it was poorly managed.
David Garcia owns the industrial site that was revitalized in 2018 through a loan from the 100 Mile Fund, which provides capital for a broad range of asset classes, with a concentration in the New York metropolitan area.
But Garcia argued that this would destroy his business.
Procida’s attorneys said Garcia is not entitled to the proceeds because of his long history of fraudulent activity, including a history of defaulting on loans and about $250,000 in unpaid property taxes and sewer charges.
The alleged mismanagement of The Art Factory is prevalent in stories of brides who were married there in the past.
on a tiktok video Posted by Athena Raymond on Wednesday, she described working with the venue as a “nightmare” and said Garcia wouldn’t respond to them in the months leading up to their wedding.
The day before the wedding, they contacted their affiliated catering company to confirm that there would be no nuts on the dessert table because one of their pregnant guests had a severe allergy.
The bankruptcy filing was triggered by a New Jersey Superior Court judgment issued last month against his company over a $12.5 million loan in 2018, according to court documents.
For Ramirez and Romero, a GoFundMe campaign launched on September 25 for the couple has raised more than $10,750. In an update posted on September 25, the couple announced that they were able to book another venue and keep their wedding date with the funds raised.
Instead, they were told they had never paid for dessert. Even though they had a Zoom call with several witnesses a year earlier in which they went over the entire menu and ordered an ice cream bar with the fixings.
The chef allegedly responded that it was not in his contract, but that if the couple sent more than $1,800 he would be there tomorrow morning.
For Ramírez and Romero, a GoFundMe The campaign launched Sept. 25 for the couple has raised more than $10,750.
In an update posted on September 25, the couple announced that they were able to book another venue and keep their wedding date with the funds raised.
They wrote: ‘We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and generosity from everyone who has donated. Your support means a lot to us.”