WEDDING VENUE GOES BUST
Vanishing venue leaves wedding couple in the lurch
POPULAR Emerald Lakes restaurant the Garlic Clove has shut down after the owner skipped town owing thousands of dollars in rent.
Building owners and management are trying to contact dozens of people who have booked functions at the restaurant and who will now be left out of pocket.
Chris Broadfoot and his fiancee Cindy Sekulic had booked the restaurant to host their wedding reception in just five weeks.
This week they faced a frantic last-minute scramble to rebook a venue after being told the Clove had folded.
“The owner of the building called us and said the owner of the restaurant had walked away,” said Mr Broadfoot.
The couple had paid a $500 deposit and said the owner, Mark Gouveia, had been taking bookings right up until the restaurant closed its doors.
The last function held there was a wedding on Sunday night. After the last guest left, Mr Gouveia allegedly stripped appliances and valuables and disappeared, according to the body corporate.
“He just left everything, right there on the table. The owners had to go in later and clean up the mess,” said Mr Broadfoot.
“He just disappeared during the night.”
The couple have hired a new venue but wanted to warn other people that the restaurant had closed its doors.
“I was there when another woman who had booked a function there this weekend arrived – she saw the place and started to cry.”
Mr Broadfoot said their wedding would still be held at
A woman who had booked a function there this weekend — she saw the place and started to cry. CHRIS BROADFOOT
Emerald Lakes after the body corporate gave permission for the event to go ahead.
Nearby businesses said Mr Gouveia was believed to have left the country with his family.
The website has closed but the restaurant is still advertised as “specialising in Parisian-style wedding ceremonies and receptions designed especially for you”.
“With its magnificent French design, stunning water views, and multi-award winning cuisine, the Garlic Clove is a classically elegant and romantic setting for your wedding ceremony and reception.
“Our experienced team will help arrange your wedding day to the very last detail with style and flair.”
Mr Broadfoot said his guests might have had a lucky escape: “Apparently the kitchen was filthy, so we might have saved our guests from food poisoning.”
Mr Gouveia could not be contacted and did not respond to messages.