It's been over a week since the Hockley Highlands Inn and Conference Centre closed its doors with no prior notice and at least some customers are still in the dark.

Mark Arbeau is just one of many customers who had booked his wedding at the inn. He learned of the closure through the Citizen and immediately tried contacting the inn. Mr. Arbeau left a message last Thursday and still hasn't received a response. He attempted to leave another message Monday, but the voicemail box was full.

He and his fiancée, Heather Waltho, live in Orangeville and chose the inn over other area locations because of bad stories they had heard.

They paid $1,000 as an initial down payment and have since paid $2,615.37. Another payment was due in June and the final balance in September as their wedding date is set for October 13. He said he couldn't imagine what they would do if the date was any earlier. One employee told the paper there was a wedding booked for June 9.

Mr. Arbeau said his situation is bad but believes there are people in a much worse situation.

"This is a nightmare for us, as we have been saving for this wedding for a long time," said Mr. Arbeau. "My bride is especially distraught."

He said other than rumours he has no indication he will receive a refund. He has contacted his lawyer and is attempting to rally other people together, which he says is proving to be difficult. He started a group, Hockley Highlands Goes Under, on the popular social website facebook.com but hasn't had much luck to date.

"From what I have read, it looks like these people were in trouble for a long time," he said.

"It is criminal that they were accepting people's money knowing they would be closing. To me, they knew exactly what they were doing and the unfortunate part is that they will get away with it as long as people allow it to happen. I don't understand why everybody else is being so quiet. I don't believe that sitting around waiting for a cheque to show up is enough."

He has found two other venues with the same date available, but is unable to make another deposit, which leaves the date available for other couples.

Employees promised pay cheques and vacation pay by May 25 say they have not received either.

As well, they were told their benefits would continue for one more month, but it appears they were terminated immediately. Also, employees were to receive a record of unemployment, which they haven't, so they could apply for unemployment until they find another job.

Ian Fairley, the husband of an employee, said he is angry at the whole process. Staff called in for an emergency meeting on May 18 were handed a one-page letter indicating they had 20 minutes to vacate the property as the inn was closing. It is in this letter where the pay and benefits were promised.

Mr. Fairley said there is a lot more to this story that the community needs to know. He said owner Murray Goldman is not the nice man some think he is. He is upset that an ex-employee painted Mr. Goldman as a saint in last week's story, when he considers him to be a criminal.

He has also been trying to contact the inn but has had no response.

The inn did not return a request for comment by press time.