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Sunnys offers to honor unused South Beach gift certificates

By Howard B. Owens

Tina Rose, co-owner of Sunnys Restaurant in the Genesee Country Mall, left a comment on The Batavian about an hour ago offering to honor unused gift certificates from South Beach, which was shuttered Sunday.

Long time Batavia Restaurant Owners comes to aid:

Local family owned Sunnys Restaurant in the Batavia City Centre is stepping in to honor Gift Certificates.
Anyone who has purchased or received a Southbeach Gift Cert.- Sunnys owners Michael and Tina Rose will honor at their Restaurant. In these tough economic times no one wants or can afford to lose money. Simply give us a call at 343-4578 or stop in.

*some restrictions may apply*

That's a generous offer, but also smart business.

UPDATE: Cori Majors from Center Street Smokehouse says gift certificates may also be redeemed there, and there may be job openings.

Colleen Odessa, sales manager for Alex's Place, also said certicates can be redeemed there as well.

Colleen Odessa

My name is Colleen Odessa and I am the Sales Manager for Alex's Place. First thing this morning I heard the rumors already circulating. When I spoke with Matt Gray, the owner of Alex's the first thing we spoke about were the people that would be concerned about the redemption of Gift Certificates. He had already made the decision that we were honoring them. We are discussing the application of restrictions that may apply. He has already contacted local media to advertise the information. I just wanted to let people know that although the closing of one of our local busniesses is always tragic and can even be confusing that they will have options because of generous owners, like those of Alex's and Sunny's. In this economic state it is always refreshing to see people in communities come together.

Feb 2, 2009, 9:02pm Permalink
Irene Will

PLEASE keep in mind - any restaurant that honors the South Beach gift certificates will be LOSING MONEY - they will NOT be reimbursed ONE DIME. The money that was PAID for those gifts is GONE. When Jason tells you that you can use them elsewhere now that South Beach is closed, it is ONLY because the owners of the OTHER restaurants CARE - not because any provision has been made by South Beach, or Alex, or Jason. It is ENTIRELY OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF THE OWNERS OF Sunny's, the Smokehouse, and Alex's[former]Place and any other restaurant that follows suit that these customers will get ANYthing back at ALL on the money that was spent. These people CARE.

Feb 3, 2009, 2:09am Permalink
Nikki Kohlhagen

Hi as a former employee of Southbeach that just lost my job when Alex closed the doors of the restaurant, I just want to say thank you to all the owners of the restaurants excepting our gift certificates. Also a special thanks to center street for offering us a application, if you do hire any of Southbeach crew they will be a great asset to you.I couldn't ask for better people to work with. I am so proud to here that there are really honest and great people out there. All I have to say is Gail it might only be a waitressing or bartending job to you but to me it is a great experiance to work with the public. i really enjoy the resturant business, it is a vary hard job for people to do but i love what i do. It is upsetting to me that whole time you being nice to us at the restaurant you were really just looking down at us. I hope all goes well with the employees of southbeach. It was a amazing time with all of you. And I will walk out of there with great memories!

Feb 3, 2009, 10:55am Permalink
Donna Jackett

Gail, what were you thinking with the remarks you made today. Your husband Enzo was a bartender for 5 years in Florida before you came back here. You better think before you speak young lady. Another thing, to come out and say his employess will steal, come on Gail, grow up. Are we still in high school? Donna Jackett

Feb 3, 2009, 1:08pm Permalink
Frank D'Angelo

To the owners of Sunny's, Center Street Smokehouse, and Alex's Place,

Thank you very much. I thought I was out the $50.00 I spent on the South Beach gift certificate. That is one classy thing to do. I realize you are basically "eating" the cost of these, (no pun intended), and that you are not getting any reimbursement for this kind gesture.

I bought this gift certificate for my Mom, who is a shut-in on oxygen. She will be glad knowing that when the weather gets warm enough to venture out that we can still take her to a quality restaurant.

I look forward to hearing the details, and will be sure to tip well....it's the least we thankful patrons can do.

Lastly, I hold no ill will towards the owners of South Beach......it also was a nice place, and it is sad when anyone has to close their business. I hope all employees find new jobs and that the three restaurants who are redeeming these gift certificates are rewarded with new increased business. Thanks again.

Frank D.

Feb 3, 2009, 4:18pm Permalink

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