Caterer splits when KATU goes looking for answers
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PORTLAND, Ore. - The owner of a defunct catering business who left his customers high and dry isn't answering questions.
Phresh Organic Catering shut its doors recently and customers who had put down deposits are now wondering if they will ever see their money.
Sarah Mayer and her fiance, Michael, booked the company a year in advance of their wedding and paid a $4,600 deposit. But late last month, when Mayer contacted Phresh Organic Catering to finalize her plans, she never heard back.
"I didn't hear anything," she said. "No email. I started calling and about a week ago I called and their mailbox was full, which was concerning."
So Mayer went to the storefront to talk to someone in person and that's when she found an empty building and a locked door.
On Monday, we confronted the owner, Robert Leon, at his apartment, but he turned tail instead of explaining what happened to all of the deposit money.
Over the weekend, the company's website said simply "it is with deep regret that I am writing to inform you that unfortunately after seven years of business, and due to circumstances beyond my control, Phresh Organic Catering had to close unexpectedly. It has been a joy and privilege to know and work with such wonderful individuals." By Monday, the website appeared to have been shut down for the most part.
We did hear from the company's former director of catering, Shelley Lomax, who was laid off on Jan. 23.
"I wish I had known," Lomax said. "I wish he had given me an indicator because I was actively selling up until the morning he let me go. I processed $8,000 in deposits in the two days leading up to me being laid off."
Since our initial story on Sunday, three catering companies have stepped forward wanting to help Mayer and we have put her in touch with them. She is also working with her credit card company to dispute the $4,600 deposit she paid to Phresh Organic Catering.
Deposits are part of the event world and there is nothing is sinister about a caterer asking for a deposit. (As do many venues, hotels, bands, DJ's, etc.).  Good event insurance covers individuals and organizations in the case of vendor bankruptcy, fires, earthquakes, all those things that are completely out of their control.  Always a pain to add costs to an event by adding insurance....until something like this happens.
KATU tracks this guy down at his home for stiffing someone for $4600
Would KATU confront politicians at their homes for robbing
taxpayers by misusing MILLIONS?
Absolutely not. They're a different sort of thief.
"On Monday, we confronted the owner, Robert Leon, at his apartment, but he turned tail instead of explaining what happened to all of the deposit money."
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..."turned tail"...Did Governor Kitzhaber or some other equally folksy character write this copy ? What's next, "he skedaddled" ?
While I have no sympathy for this Rob Leon guy, I do know from the experience of a friend who ran a business that sometimes things get out of control through no fault of your own. Sometimes businesses just don't work out and you can't deliver as promised, and my friend learned it's a dangerous business to accept money in advance. This friend was also ambushed by a reporter who had put a different spin on the situation so I don't blame Rob for running away. I would too, if there was a camera running at me. But I still think he's being a jerk. He should at least file bankruptcy so the customers have some legal recourse to collect some of their money.
 @yahdayahda He could have also contacted all his customers to let them know and stopped taking on new clients as soon as it became evident they were going to close. From the looks of it, he did neither of those things. At least if people had been told, they could have already been finding new services for their weddings. I wonder how many weddings may have to be moved to a new date because the services are already booked.
Makes me wonder if "Robert Leon" is really his name. Something just smells so phishy about the whole thing.Â
 @washcomom His customers call him "Rob", as in I got "Robbed".
Are you KATU DEEP THINKERS still in LA-LA Land? The National Depression is still dragging on...devouring everything in its path.
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 @Gravity Works! I did...and they shot it back to me; I don't believe in the infallibility of the Pope.
If I was him, I'd take out fire insurance now that his house has been on TV. One of his customers will get him
A $4600 deposit for something a year in advance? That already sounds like a scam.
 @al_02 When you're putting on a large event - especially a wedding - this is very common. Services are typically booked out a good year in advance with a deposit needed to hold that spot. I've put together plenty of large events and that is always the way it's done. For dinners and such you can usually get away with about 6 months' notice (outside of wedding season), but weddings take much more notice, particularly if you're getting married during the busy wedding season.
 @Jenni S.  Maybe so, but I wouldn't hand a caterer $5K a year in advance without some financial recourse. A performance guarantee bond, an escrow account, something. The guy owns a rented storefront, a few pots and pans, and a website. No chance of ever getting your money back.
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 @Nick Danner Kind of a stretch to connect Armando with this story about catering but, Armando is a real person. You won't get rich unless you find your own investors-which is probably impossible in this market. He isn't going to find investors for you, which is what all these people say they can help you do. Armando and Fortunebuilders are very similar, if not the same. You may as well play the slot machines. good luck
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 @Gravity Works! well did you see the one I was responding to? it was deleted
Fear of being forced to participate in a same sex wedding may of had something to do with him going out of business. Rumor has it that a couple of drama queens are out cruising the marriage businesses with $$$ signs in their eyes. It's Portland, anything is possible.Â
The catering manager said she was laid off Jan 23rd, so this business was likely shutting down long before the Sweet Cakes thing made news. So I don't think that's the reason.
 @Janusfree Gay.
Is this better or worse than Melissa? No protest at the caterers apartment. Must be no same sex marriage involved.
Food star people save the day for commeners
 @Bert Gay.
This is fraud, if he knew he was closing and taking in money for deposits then that is fraud.. This guy should be in jail ..
 @dougrpdx True.
No doubt that weenie pocketed some cash and split. I hope he's arrested and charged with theft.
 @brentbusch I wonder if that's his sweet Toyota Rv from the eighties in his parking lot. I'd buy it from him if he wants to recoup some of his losses
If she paid the deposit to Presh Organic a "year" ago with her credit card, she best read the fine print on her credit card statement. Some credit card companies only allow you to dispute transactions up to 90 days from the time the charge in question shows up on the statement.
 @GeauxOSU Some companies are nice enough to work with you, especially when it's for a deposit in advance, something backordered, etc.
The cupcake task force will get them
 @Bert You mean Michelle Obama?