The sudden closure of the Estetica Day Spa in Lakeshore has left some gift certificate holders unsure they’ll ever be fully compensated. Customers became alarmed Friday as word began to spread that the business had closed without any notice. Several customers, including Toula Tee, showed up to the shop along Amy Croft Drive hoping to use gift cards or spend the remaining balance on their accounts. “So when I went on Friday, it was around noon, I guess, and windows were all papered up. There were signs saying closed permanently,” she explained. CTV News attempted to call Estetica multiple times over the course of the weekend, but we were unable to connect with staff or owners. The business’s website is not active, and by Sunday the spa’s name had been removed from the building. Tee said she owns about $400 in gift cards which she would’ve used for services or products. She has also been unable to get in contact with the business. “There should be an account of money of people who had and used, you know, gift cards or accounts and that kind of stuff, and, you know, it’s not really fair to walk away with that,” she said. CTV News has spoken with multiple other customers who confirmed they owned gift cards but were not able to get a hold of the business. According to the Ontario Government, customers with gift cards to closed businesses have limited options. If the business closes due to bankruptcy or financial difficulties, the province noted assistance could be given through the trustee in bankruptcy. “I just think it’s such a blatant disrespect to people who, you know, gave them their hard-earned money,” Tee said of the lack of notice. In past, she said there have been businesses that refunded gift cards before closing their doors. “It makes you hesitant to buy gift cards and support small local businesses when this is potentially the consequence,” Tee said. In the days since the closure, other local spas and estheticians have announced they will honour a portion of the remaining gift card balance. As for her gift cards, Tee added she isn’t holding her breath to see if they will be refunded to the full amount.
