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Attorney General gets 4 complaints after Charlotte wedding venue closes unexpectedly

By Erin Edwards, wsoctv.com
By Erin Edwards, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte wedding venue unexpectedly closed its doors in February sending couples scrambling weeks before their weddings.

Noah’s Event Venue closed all of its 30 locations across the country, including one in Charlotte.

On Feb. 18, Channel 9 learned the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office received four customers’ complaints.

"We spent over $10,000 just for this venue,” said bride-to-be Andreia Graddick.

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Graddick booked the venue in March 2019. She was set to get married in three months.

"To go and get another venue, it’s probably going to be impossible because people have already booked events. It’s devastation for us,” said the mother of the bride, Sonya Graddick.

Ramona Culbreth’s daughter, Tia, is getting married in May. Culbreth told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke they put down $1,400 and have been paying almost $600 every month since.

“She was crying, she was like ‘Mama, they closed, they closed’ and I was like ‘Who?’” Culbreth said. “Today would have been the last payment they were going to try to take out.”

Culbreth said they are now out almost $8,000 and they also spent hundreds on invitations and were getting responses back.

All-inclusive wedding venue suddenly closes, couples left scrambling All-inclusive wedding venue suddenly closes, couples left scrambling

The customers who submitted official complaints with the AG’s office said they paid to rent the venue and didn’t get their money back. That sum was $37,000.

Several customers spoke to us and not just about weddings. Michael Cruz booked Noah’s for next week for his daughter’s Quinceanera. He said they invited hundreds of people from all over and paid more than $7,000.

“We had no idea,” Cruz said. “She’s freaking out right now.”

Channel 9 went to the venue on Sunday. An employee there didn’t want to speak on camera but said everyone at that location lost their jobs.

"I feel really incredibly sorry for their employees, as well,” said Andreia.

Noah’s Event Venue’s site is still up and running. Channel 9 called the Charlotte location. Its voicemail said it is available to host events Saturday through Sunday.

"Immediately, we all started calling here, calling the corporate office. The phones are totally disconnected,” said Andreia.

WEB EXTRA: Action 9 -- What customers should do if a business shuts down WEB EXTRA: Action 9 -- What customers should do if a business shuts down

WEB EXTRA: Action 9 -- What customers should do if a business shuts down

According to the Better Business Bureau, the company filed for bankruptcy, Chapter 11 reorganization, in May 2019. This means it could keep doing business and try to get back on track financially. The venue continued to hold events and schedule new ones.

But, published reports said it switched to Chapter 7 so it had to close, sell assets and try to pay creditors. Unfortunately, customers can be low on that list. A lot of times, by the time it gets to them, no money is left.

In the meantime, other venues across the Charlotte area are offering to help Noah’s customers, like City Church in Huntersville.

“We are willing to offer our sanctuary complimentary,” Roumayah Tyler from City Church said. “And, work out a few things financially for spaces for their reception if they would like to host that here as well.”

Culbreth also found another venue willing to help -- Loray Mills in Gastonia.

Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke said if customers used a credit card, dispute the charges. Otherwise, file a claim with the bankruptcy court so they’re on the list if there is enough money to go around.

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