UPDATED: Brides Outraged Over Montefiori Closing

With the sudden closing of Lemont's last week, many brides are left wondering whether they will recoup their security deposits or find a new venue for their 2012 weddings.

Edward Krzyminski, a Palos Heights-based attorney who used to represent Montefiori, confirmed Tuesday that the banquet hall has gone into mortgage foreclosure.

Documents were filed in Cook County Circuit Court on Oct. 12 by Old Second National Bank, according to the county's online court docket.

Listed as plaintiffs in the case are Montefiori owners Joseph and Michael Lepore, as well as All Capital Group LLC, First Midwest Trust Company, Edward J. Krzyminski, Julian Krzyminski, Krzyminski Enterprises LLC, Lifescapes Development, Lifescapes at Montefiori LLC, Lifescapes Productions LLC, Stefano D. Marchetti, "non-record claimants," Southside Landscaping LLC, Louis G. Stephens, Stephens Family Enterprises and "unknown owners."

Krzyminski said he represented Montefiori until 2009 and is listed in the lawsuit because he is tied to some of the mortgage documents. He said he has no further information on the facility's closing.

In certified letters mailed out last month, Lifescapes Productions informed its clients that Montefiori, located at 11250 Archer Ave., would close its doors Dec. 1 after five years in business. All events for 2012 have subsequently been canceled.

The letter acknowledged that "the current economic downturn" has impacted Montefiori and "its ability to satisfy financial obligations."

On Monday afternoon, the facility's phone line was disconnected, and its website, www.montefiori.com, was shut down. The entrance was blocked off by chains.

Village Administrator Ben Wehmeier and Economic Development Director Jim Brown said they have yet to be contacted by the owners of Montefiori, but the village is actively seeking more information on the closure. If the facility is closed for good, the village will need to take action to revoke its liquor license, Wehmeier said.

Kristy DeJule, a resident of Joliet, was set to be married June 22, 2012, at Montefiori. She received her letter Friday.

"I was really shocked and confused, especially since they didn't explain much," DeJule said in an interview Monday night. "I'm just hoping I can somehow get my money back."

The letter, which DeJule shared with Patch, said:

It is with deep regret that we must inform you that after five years, Lifescapes @ Montefiori LLC will close its doors to the Montefiori facilities, effective Dec. 1, 2011. As of that date, all operations will cease and subsequently all events scheduled for calendar year 2012 are hereby canceled. Since your contract with Lifescapes Productions LLC was to host your event at the Montefiori facilities, now unavailable, we will not have a venue for your event.

The current economic downturn has impacted Lifescapes @ Montefiori LLC, its ability to satisfy financial obligations and consequently Lifescapes Productions will be unable to put on your event or continue in business. We have always believed that our customer's best interest should come first and foremost. Therefore, as difficult as this is, we ask that you seek another venue for your event. It is our sincere hope that by providing you this information as soon as possible, it will allow you the opportunity to find an alternate venue for your event. Returning your deposit is our top priority, therefore we also ask for your patience as we sort through things and endeavor to rectify the situation as quickly as we can.

Please accept our deepest apologies for this situation. Until formal, direct communications are re-established, please direct all correspondence through the following correspondence through the following email address.

customerservice@montefiori.com

Sincerely,

Lifescapes Productions LLC

DeJule said her family has already contacted an attorney, but she is unsure whether she will be able to recover the $3,000 deposit she made for her wedding.

"You hear about things like this happening, but you don't ever think it will happen to you," she said.

Since receiving her letter, DeJule has taken to the Internet, where several other brides are voicing their discontent with Montefiori's sudden closing.

Kim A.—who put down a $4,000 deposit for her Sept. 29, 2012, wedding— started a blog for women to discuss Montefiori (montefioreclosing.wordpress.com). As of Monday night, at least five women reported receiving the letters.

On the site, Kim A. said she has already contacted an attorney and is seeking more information on the closing. She has also created a forum for people to share information about alternate venues.

"I am trying to stay positive about this whole situation, but that money that they currently have of mine and everyone elses was hard-earned money and that just disgusts me that they could take that away from us," she wrote. "[Whether] we get that back or not, it will still not replace all the stress and hardship it has put on everyone."

Another bride posted on the blog, "I feel now I am just rushing to find something because I am swamped at work and with Christmas just around the corner. I planned everything way in advance so I would ahead of the game, now I am far behind."

While recovering the deposits remains a top priority for the brides to be, many said they are equally disappointed that their wedding plans have been altered.

"I wanted to have a destination wedding, but I fell in love with Montefiori and was so looking forward to having it there," DeJule said. "But I have already started looking at venues, so hopefully I won't have to change my date. I'm trying to stay positive."