A historic restaurant in Ormond Beach has abruptly closed, leaving customers with canceled reservations and employees wondering when — or if — they will be paid.
Rose Villa, located on Granada Boulevard, closed Friday, Aug. 28, according to the property owner. A sign on the front door says the restaurant is “closed due to unforeseen circumstances.” The building is also boarded up.
Several employees told News 6 they have not been paid in four to five weeks. They said they are missing two paychecks and are unsure whether they will receive the money they are owed.
“We have a lot of families here that just bought homes, have new children — young children — so it’s been very devastating, just the reaction from the owner being none,” said Kachina Starr, a Rose Villa employee.
The workers said they reported for work last week. On Friday, they received an email saying they had been removed from the payroll system. They later arrived at the restaurant and saw the sign on the door.
“We just haven’t received any answers at all from where our money’s at, when we’re going to get paid, anything,” said Sarah Davis.
With Sept. 1 approaching, the employees said they are worried about paying their bills while searching for new jobs.
The closure also has left customers confused, including people who had reservations or events scheduled at the restaurant.
“They’re not going to be able to get their money back, I’m assuming, if we can’t even get paid,” said Anniston Gibbs.
News 6 heard back from the group that owns the property where the restaurant operates. Bill Jones, the owner, said the restaurant closed “as a result of a sudden and undisclosed decision by the proprietor who has control of the restaurant operations by the terms of a lease with my company.”
Jones said he was “extremely saddened” by the closure and apologized for the impact on the restaurant’s employees.
“Most importantly, his decision has adversely affected the livelihood of its many loyal employees,” Jones said in a statement. “I am truly sorry that this has happened and hope they find some recourse from Red Fusion, LLC.”
Jones said he owns the building, as well as the trademark restoration and décor, but does not control the restaurant’s operations.
He said he is immediately beginning work to refresh the building and return it to the standards the public came to know and respect.
“Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to reopen ‘The Rose,’” Jones said.
The employees said they have contacted the labor board and OSHA. They are also working to find an attorney.
“We love the history of Rosevilla. We’re not trying to attack the name. We just want to get our money,” Davis said. “We’ve worked really hard, we’ve supported this business, we deserve something.”
News 6 has still not heard back from the restaurant’s owner, Red Fusion, LLC, about the closure or the employees’ unpaid wages.