Newtown Restaurant Releases Statement On Closure, Gift Card Concerns

NEWTOWN, PA — Rocco’s at the Brick released a statement on its social media page on Monday thanking its customers "from the bottom of our hearts for their patience, kindness, and encouragement" during its recent closure while addressing the growing number of concerns over gift cards.

“Your support has made this transition easier, and we are incredibly grateful for each of you. Serving you has been a privilege,” they wrote.

They also addressed the issue of gift cards, which has sparked a lot of comments on Facebook and has left many wondering if they’d ever see a refund.

"We thank you for your patience as our abrupt closure so close to the holidays left us with more than just gift cards to worry about," they wrote. "We understand there are some concerns about the timeliness this is being completed in and we understand. We felt it would be unfair to begin this complex process without having a set and organized system, so no customer falls through the cracks."

According to Rocco's, within the next few days "our website will be updated with a complete questionnaire on all of the information we need to process your refund. A link will be posted the second it is up and running.

"In the meantime, we unfortunately were unable to keep our previous phone number since we left the Brick Hotel," they added. "No Rocco's personnel are reachable at that location. You can still reach us on email at hello@roccosatthebrick.com ."

For those who do not wish to wait for the questionnaire to be posted, they can send the following information to the email address: name and phone number, gift card number on the back of the card, date purchased (if available), and mailing address to receive a refund check.

"We are here. We hear you. We are not going anywhere," the owners wrote. "But we are also only two human beings behind this, doing our best to serve you. Your compassion and grace is all we ask for."

Story continues below the statement.

Rocco's original statement appearing on social media on Monday.

Rocco’s closed unexpectedly on Nov. 22 just as the lucrative holiday dining season was getting underway. The closure left its more than 60 employees out of work and many without

reservations.

The restaurant’s ownership blamed the closure of the popular steak and seafood house on a dispute with its landlord, who they say pulled the restaurant’s liquor license and essentially forced it to close. They said they are planning legal action.

Verindar Kaur, who owns the Brick with her son, confirmed the restaurant is closed and that they're not leasing or renting the space, but she declined to comment on the closing or the liquor license.

"I have no comment. I cannot talk," said Kaur. "We don't want to get engaged in the craziness that's going on. We're trying to be professional about it. They can make any comments they want. You can listen to their story. You can print their story. We don't want to say anything. Maybe in 10 days you will learn everything, and then when you learn, you can write the facts."

Rocco's management has told other news organizations that it is looking around the area for a place to reopen. One of the properties that has been mentioned is the Guru’s building at Sycamore and Jefferson streets, although that has not been confirmed by Patch.