NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – Dozens of New Jersey couples are scrambling to find wedding venues after theirs abruptly closed down over the weekend.
The Art Factory in Paterson sent a message to all parties with booked events Sunday night, stating that it will not host any further events. The business filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on August 23rd, 2024, but expects to convert to Chapter 7 Liquidation Bankruptcy.
More Local News In several social media posts, The Art Factory has blamed its lender, Billy Procida. In a phone call with PIX11 News, Procida said that The Art Factory stopped making payments last year, and foreclosure proceedings began in April.
Several brides who have upcoming weddings at The Art Factory contacted PIX11 News for help.
Ibrahim Dogan’s wedding with 500 guests is scheduled for this Saturday. He said he met with owner David Garsia two weeks ago, wrote him a check for nearly $10,000, and never heard anything about bankruptcy. He said he only found out about the financial problems on Sunday night.
“Hopefully I can find another place, but I’m hoping I get my refund as well,” said Dogan. “Hopefully, they can provide me that at least, and if they don’t, I don’t know what I’m gonna do.”
Lindsey Nadolny and Erin Fowlie were scheduled to get married at The Art Factory on October 18th. They had been planning their dream wedding for more than a year.
“We have people coming from Canada, from Hawaii, California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and London coming to the wedding,” said Nadolny. “It’s over 220 people.”
Nadolny and Fowlie said they recently met with David and Donata Garsia, who reassured them that their wedding would proceed as planned despite their filing for bankruptcy.
“She [Donata] told me to my face, ‘No, you’re fine,’” said Nadolny. “You’re good. You’re gonna have your wedding. I promise. Your dream wedding it’s coming. October 18th, it’s gonna be there.”
Samantha Aguilar was supposed to also have a wedding at The Art Factory on October 18th.
“I’m having people fly in from South America, from Canada – from everywhere,” said Aguilar.
Aguilar hosted her bridal shower at The Art Factory a few weeks ago and described it as a disaster.
“It smelled horrible,” Aguilar said. “Sewage smell everywhere. No one took out the trash.”
She said she saw more signs of trouble on Friday.
“We were made aware on Friday of a bride who just said there was no staff here,” said Aguilar. “She had her wedding Friday of last week, said there was no staff. So we were all on guard since then.”
Aguilar is now desperately calling other vendors and trying to find someone who can accommodate their wedding on such short notice with a limited budget.
“I have to find a venue in less than 25 days to accommodate and hopefully find something that we are at least happy with,” said Aguilar.
Vendors say they’re being stiffed as well.
“They owe me like, $2,000 in ice, and now they have a $4,000 freezer of mine held hostage up there,” said Rolando Lugones, the owner of Carlstadt Ice, who has done business with The Art Factory for a couple of years. He said the venue stopped making payments over the summer and went radio silent.
“Nobody answers the phone,” said Lugones. “Nothing for like about two months now.”
The Art Factory’s lender, Billy Procida, told PIX11 News by phone that the venue stopped making payments last year, and foreclosure proceedings began in April.
PIX11 News reached out to David Garsia for comment but has not heard back.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said he is working on a plan to help the affected couples. No further details are available.
The NJ Attorney General’s Office said it is aware of the matter but cannot confirm or deny any investigation until formal action is taken. Affected consumers can file a complaint here .
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