The Art Factory files for bankruptcy and cancels bride’s wedding ONE WEEK before her big day after she paid $12,000 for booking two years ago

A devastated bride was shocked to hear the venue she booked for her wedding two years ago was going out of business.

Ivanna Ramirez and Raymond Romero were all set to get married at The Art Factory in Paterson, New Jersey. Describing it as her dream location, Ramirez chose the chic industrial space, securing the booking by paying the $12,000 fee.

But in the days leading up to their wedding, the couple was shocked to find out through their event planner on September 5 that The Art Factory had filed for bankruptcy.

Although initially in shock, the couple were optimistic that their special day would still go ahead, with reassurance from the owners that the celebrations would continue into 2025.

But a disturbing post on Instagram two weeks before the wedding caused waves of doubt, until a final blow on September 24 ruined all hopes when the owners were ordered in court to stop organizing events.

Just a week before her wedding, the couple found out via Instagram that the wedding venue had filed for bankruptcy after facing foreclosure. When the couple contacted The Art Factory for a refund, they were told they would have to file a claim for settlement

When they contacted The Art Factory for a refund, they were told they would have to file a claim for settlement.

They also filed a police report in Paterson, but that did nothing to help their impending plans, with 104 guests preparing to visit the unavailable space.

David Garcia owns the industrial complex that was revived in 2018 with a loan from the 100 Mile Fund, which provides capital for a wide range of asset classes, with a concentration in the New York metropolitan area.

On the company’s now-deleted Instagram page, they posted an emotional appeal to the disappointed couples, blaming the lender for “taking your dreams and your money.” ABC-7 reported.

The outlet reached out to 100 Mile Fund President Billy Procida. He said he feels sympathy for the customers and that while the location was great, it was poorly managed.

“This is one of the saddest things I have experienced in my 43-year career,” Procida said.

The bankruptcy filing was triggered by a New Jersey Supreme Court ruling last month against his company over a $12.5 million loan in 2018, according to court documents.

The loan was intended to enable Garcia to extensively renovate the complex. But the judgment required the owner to pay rent and fees from his business to 100 Mile REIT Inc.

The outlet reached out to 100 Mile Fund President Billy Procida. He said he feels sympathy for the customers and that while the location was great, it was poorly managed

David Garcia owns the industrial complex that was revived in 2018 through a loan from the 100 Mile Fund – which provides capital across a wide range of asset classes, with a concentration in the New York metropolitan area

But Garcia claimed this would destroy his business.

Procida’s attorneys said Garcia is not entitled to the earnings because of his long history of fraudulent activity — including a record of defaulting on loans and about $250,000 in unpaid property taxes and sewer fees.

The alleged mismanagement of The Art Factory appears frequently in the stories of brides who have celebrated their wedding there in the past.

In a TikTok video Posted by Athena Raymond on Wednesday, she described working with the venue as a “nightmare” and said Garcia wouldn’t answer for months leading up to their wedding.

The day before the wedding, they contacted the affiliated catering company to confirm that there would be no nuts at the dessert table because one of their pregnant guests had a severe allergy.

The bankruptcy filing was triggered by a New Jersey Superior Court judgment issued last month against his company over a $12.5 million loan in 2018, according to court documents.

For Ramirez and Romero, a GoFundMe campaign launched for the couple on September 25 has raised more than $10,750. In a September 25 update, the couple announced that with the money raised they were able to book another venue and keep their wedding date

Instead they were told they never paid for dessert. Even though a year earlier they had a zoom call with multiple witnesses where they went over the entire menu and asked for an ice cream bar with the fixings.

The chef reportedly responded that it wasn’t in their contract, but if the couple sent more than $1,800, it would be there by morning.

For Ramirez and Romero, a GoFundMe The campaign launched for the couple on September 25 has raised more than $10,750.

In a September 25 update, the couple announced that with the money raised they were able to book another venue and keep their wedding date.

They wrote: “We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and generosity from everyone who donated. Your support means the world to us.”