Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub’s sudden closing Dec. 28 prompted many in the community to wonder what’s going to happen to all those gift cards they purchased or received over the holiday season.
‘I can’t answer that question at this time until I follow up on things. I really don’t know,? said Kalloway’s owner Gary Lepak. ‘I didn’t plan this out . . . I didn’t even think about that because I had no intention to not be open.?
After nearly nine years in business, the popular restaurant abruptly closed its doors in an all-too-familiar case of too much overhead and not enough revenue.
Lepak said he waited until after the holiday season to reevaluate his financial situation and when he finally digested all the information on Dec. 28, he really had no other choice but to close rather than continue on in a new year.
‘The best thing for us was to not prolong this,? he said. ‘Your overhead is so high everyday when you open the door and with taxes and everything else, one thing leads to another. To try to stay on top of things has been overly-challenging.?
LeeAnn Zeliasko vented her frustration over the gift card situation by posting a letter at www.oxfordleader.com.
‘Seems very unethical to me that Gary would allow people to buy gift cards for Christmas when he pretty much knew he’d be closing shop,? she wrote. ‘I certainly feel that ‘Gary the Head Wrangler? just wrangled me out of $50. I would have a hard time visiting a new location for Kalloway’s if he does not respond to this situation.?
The always-optimistic Lepak said the restaurant never stopped selling gift cards because ‘we hoped to be open.?
‘People can say what they want, but I was in there everyday just praying to make it through,? he said.
It wasn’t until Dec. 28 that it became painfully clear keeping the doors open was no longer a viable option, according to Lepak.
‘Nobody coached me. If I knew how to go out of business, I would have done things differently,? he said.
Lepak noted he will try to keep everyone updated via the Leader regarding what’s going to happen with the gift cards.
‘We will keep people posted through you,? he said.
Should Lepak realize his desire to reopen a downsized version of Kalloway’s on the east side of M-24 as a tenant in The Promenade at Waterstone shopping center ? most of which has yet to be built ? all outstanding gift cards would still be valid.
‘They will be honored because we are looking to stay in the community,? he said.
Italia Gardens was planning to honor 50 percent of the value of each Kalloway’s gift card until it was realized the restaurant doesn’t have the necessary computer equipment to read the cards and determine their value.
‘We thought it would be something nice to do,? said Ed Klimek, managing partner of Italia Gardens. ‘That wouldn’t be very fun to be stuck with one of those and not be able to use it at all. I thought we can at least honor half, so they can get some worth out of it.?
Red Knapp’s American Grill and Victoria’s Delights had planned to follow Italia Gardens? lead, but couldn’t for the same reason.
‘I feel bad for Gary,? said Victoria Connolly, owner of Victoria’s Delights. ‘It’s just really sad. He’s a good guy, a good businessman. It’s a hard business.?