Florida brides face sudden venue closure before weddings
Share this @internewscast.com

Chez L’Amour’s closure has set off a dispute between the owner and landlord leaving couples out thousands of dollars.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Brides in Northeast Florida are frantically revising their wedding plans after Chez L’Amour, a well-loved restaurant and event location in St. Augustine, unexpectedly shut down. This closure has ignited a conflict between the venue’s owner and landlord, now leaving couples facing significant financial losses.

Annalisse Colonna and her fiancé are among those impacted. They had scheduled their rehearsal dinner at Chez L’Amour for October 31, having paid $2,500 in advance.

“We were offered a deal if we paid the entire amount within 24 hours after booking,” Colonna explained. “It didn’t raise any red flags for us since we trusted the place from previous dining experiences.”

Colonna learned she would need to make new plans after seeing a shocking post on Facebook.

She continued, “I discovered it had closed through a random online post. I wasn’t given any notice. Just the day before, I tried confirming our plans via email, but the email bounced back.”

Colonna said she later received a letter from the restaurant’s attorney explaining the closure.

The closure letter mentions critical inspection failures related to persistent issues with the building, which the owner asserts existed prior to the restaurant’s opening.

Owner Jeanetta Cebollero said safety concerns left her no choice but to close.

“Imagine if the ceiling had collapsed during someone’s rehearsal dinner—it would have been an entirely different catastrophe,” Cebollero expressed. “It was an unavoidable worst-case scenario.”

She also apologized directly to her customers.

“I am sorry to every bride that put their faith in us,” Cebollero said, adding refunds are their primary concern.”

But the landlord’s attorney disputes her account, alleging the restaurant was a year behind on rent and had been ordered by the court to vacate by Sept. 2.

That same day, the City of St. Augustine’s fire and building inspection departments reviewed the property. According to the city, inspectors noted some maintenance concerns but determined that because the tenant was in the process of moving out, no code enforcement case was opened.

The conflicting accounts now leave brides like Colonna, weeks away from their wedding dates, trying to secure new venues.

“We are talking to a few venues in town this week,” Colonna said. “I feel very fortunate to live in a community where everyone is so supportive.”

Cebollero said updates on refunds and next steps are expected by Friday.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Starmer’s digital ID work requirement sparks uproar from UK's left and right

Starmer’s Proposal for Digital ID Work Requirement Faces Backlash Across UK Political Spectrum

The United Kingdom’s political spectrum, from right-wing to left-wing, has united in…
RECAP: 'Golden Bachelor' women roast Mel for ageist comments during group date, Debbie gets 1-on-1 date

Summary: ‘Golden Bachelor’ women criticize Mel for ageist remarks on group date; Debbie receives a solo date

NEW YORK — The week kicked off at “Bachelor Mansion” where the…
North Carolina bar patron’s video may have foiled gunman night before deadly waterfront massacre: report

Video from a North Carolina bar patron might have stopped a gunman the night before a deadly waterfront shooting: report

A gunman accused of carrying out an ambush at a North Carolina…
Random blue city stabbing death fuels new bail bill as ‘activists’ ripped for lack of crime crackdown: expert

911 Audio Released of Fatal Train Stabbing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has released recordings of five 911 calls made…
Enough Talk, Time for Muscle: Why Pete Hegseth’s Military Overhaul Is the Reset We Need

Time for Action: Why Pete Hegseth’s Military Reforms Are Essential

By nature, I am serene and pastoral, spending my time working to…
Indonesia school collapse: Dozens of students missing in rubble after at least 6 killed, about 100 injured in Sidoarjo, East Java

Dozens of Students Missing in Indonesia School Collapse After East Java Incident Leaves Over 6 Dead, Nearly 100 Injured

SIDOARJO, Indonesia — On Wednesday, rescuers kept up their efforts to locate…
Chicago immigration raids: Family 'unlawfully' detained by ICE at Millennium Park now separated, court filing argues

Chicago Immigration Raid: Court Documents Allege Family Detained ‘Illegally’ by ICE at Millennium Park Now Divided

CHICAGO (WLS) — The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) has taken legal…
Former University of Kentucky athlete competed months before police allegedly found dead infant in closet

Former Kentucky student-athlete faces charges in infant’s death after reportedly hearing ‘whimper’ before concealing him in closet: authorities

The former University of Kentucky student-athlete accused of concealing her deceased newborn…
Son accused of brutally beating his mother to death with gardening tool over inheritance: police

Man Allegedly Kills Mother in Violent Attack Using Garden Tool in Dispute Over Inheritance: Authorities

A Missouri man is behind bars after authorities say he allegedly beat…
Class back in session as 'Abbott Elementary' returns for fifth season on ABC

“Abbott Elementary” Kicks Off Its Fifth Season on ABC

HOLLYWOOD — “Abbott Elementary” is getting ready for the start of its…
ICE in Chicago news: Legal advocates call for ban on ICE arrests without warrants at Cook County courthouses

Chicago News: Legal Advocates Demand Ban on ICE Arrests Without Warrants at Cook County Courthouses

CHICAGO (WLS) — Legal advocates want ICE to stop making arrests outside…
MTG Demands Influencers Register Under FARA

MTG Calls for Influencers to Sign Up Under FARA Regulations

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) called for all social media influencers paid…