Elizabeth Grady's future uncertain after sudden closures in Massachusetts
MEDFORD - Massachusetts-based beauty company Elizabeth Grady appears to be in serious financial trouble, after nearly 50 years in business.
Elizabeth Grady headquarters closed
At their headquarters in Medford Monday, there was a bright yellow "keep out" sign taped to the door. The beauty industry powerhouse was ordered to vacate and make good on unpaid rent.
Now at the chain's many spa locations, the future is uncertain. Former employees, students and clients all want to know what went wrong.
Elizabeth Grady eviction in Acton
"It feels like a really bad break up actually," said Jennifer Nicoloro, who is out of a job since the Elizabeth Grady shop in Acton got an eviction notice. She was an esthetician and massage therapist there for 13 years. In the last few months, she said things have been shaky.
"We would have our phones turned off and our gas got turned off," she told WBZ-TV.
Now, she has to go to court to appeal for unemployment benefits she said the company is not acknowledging. Nicoloro also said there are countless customers left in the lurch.
"Not only were they cancelled last minute, and had personal events coming up, weddings, things like that that they needed services for. They're also out of a lot of money," she said.
Adding to the confusion, is a lack of communication about which stores might be closing and which might be staying open. Some are franchised and others are corporate-owned. Customers told WBZ they haven't been notified, the phones are still working, and so is the website.
Elizabeth Grady beauty school closed
Then there's the Elizabeth Grady beauty school in Medford. The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering posted a notice announcing it has closed.
"They took $700 out for January classes and they did not receive any January classes," said Alison Butler, whose daughter started there five months ago.
When she asked for a refund, she got no response.
"So now the school is asking us for $700 to get transcripts and all these other fees," she told WBZ.
What you can do
The state licensing board is instructing students who have not received a refund, to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
Customers and students can also file a consumer complaint with the attorney general's office. Workers who believe they're owed money can file a complaint with the state's Fair Labor Division.