BUFFALO, N.Y. — Couples who lost wedding deposits after Hotel Henry closed will receive a refund Tuesday from the hotel's new owner, developer Douglas Jemal.
Back in February, couples found out they would be losing their wedding reception venue and not getting a refund. Hotel Henry announced it would be closing from losses because of the pandemic and they would not be able to give couples refunds on deposits. Some couples had spent thousands of dollars to secure a wedding date at the hotel.
Shortly after the hotel announced it would not be refunding deposits, Jemal said should he acquire the hotel, he would make sure the couples would get their money back.
Jemal recently added Hotel Henry to his collection of Buffalo properties. He also owns Seneca One Tower, the Statler, the Boulevard Mall, the former headquarters of Buffalo Police, and the shuttered Hyatt Regency.
Jemal was sympathetic towards couples who lost their deposits. He said that as the father of four daughters, he feels pain for the couples who lost their money.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Jemal said, “This year has been incredibly difficult and losing wedding deposits on top of it all is heart wrenching. I have read all of their stories. I feel for them and want to fulfill my promise and make them whole again in the situation. That is what the Buffalo spirit is all about!”
Jemal is delivering on his promise and is personally giving out reimbursement checks Tuesday evening.