Park Lane ordered to give back deposit

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - It's the case of an upset mother-of-the-bride versus Park Lane Catering. A Buffalo woman headed to court Friday, fighting to get back her $1,000 deposit.

Imagine booking the wedding of your dream, and four months before the wedding being told: you can't have it here. Worse yet, what if the venue wouldn't immediately give you your deposit back? That's what happened to a few local brides and their families, and they are fighting back.

Kristen Briggs-Coley married in May, but it wasn't quite the wedding she dreamed of. Her mom, Nancy Briggs, still remembers how thrilled her daughter was when they booked the reception at the Statler.

Briggs said, "Oh, we were excited. The place was gorgeous. We knew it was the right place."

But four months before the wedding, the Statler closed, forcing the couple to find a new location. Fortunately, Kristen and her new husband, David, did. At the Ramada.

Friday, Briggs traveled to small claims court to recoup the $1,000 deposit from Park Lane Catering, with whom they had booked the event for the Statler.

"People are telling us we'll get the money and never did. There have to be other brides and moms going through the same thing," said Briggs.

The Statler officially closed in January, nearly a year after its operator filed chapter 11 bankruptcy. During that time, events continued, and brides were reassured by Park Lane reps that the receptions wouldn't be affected.

Park Lane was forced to vacate in January when the building's services were turned off. Since then, News 4's Call For Action has taken a number of complaints from people like Briggs who hadn't were received their refunds. They were advised to take their issue to small claims court.

Friday, Briggs emerged from court with a big smile. Park Lane must issue a refund within the next few weeks.

Briggs said, "It's important. We've all been taken advantage of."

Despite the debacle, Briggs says this about her daughter's wedding day: "I know she pictures still what it would have been like at the Statler."

In addition to Briggs, a few other disappointed brides and their families have taken their issue with Park Lane Catering to small claims court and won. Park Lane did say all along via an attorney that they wouldn't stiff anyone.