Popular Houston spa closes its doors without any notice

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Customers looking for a relaxing spa day are being greeted with disappointment, their favorite spa shut down with no warning. A lot of now those customers are left holding worthless gift cards.

The spa closed its doors Saturday and the first word some customers had about it was when they showed up for appointments.

"I'm here at Urban Retreat and the doors are locked, I called the phone and it says we are closed for business."

Debbie Luquette is among the first to find out her favorite spa, Urban Retreat is no longer in business.

Luquette made her appointment last week and everything seemed fine.

"I talked to her last Tuesday or Wednesday and she said we'll see you today," said Luquette.

Michael Kemper worked at Urban Retreat until Saturday when he says the owner locked the door. Kemper says the staff only got a two day notice that the spa was closing.

"Thursday morning I was told they were going to close the door Saturday so everybody really had to scramble," said Kemper.

Kemper and several co-workers are now at D-Vine Salon and Spa.

Owner Sarah Ward is offering to honor Urban Retreat Gift cards up to 50 percent of the face value of the card and is giving the closed spa's customers a take home hair care kit as well.

"I feel for everybody and at least they will get something out of it," said Sarah Ward owner of D-Vine.

No one knows how many Urban Retreat gift card holders are out there, but if you have one, David Tiede with the University of Houston Law School says call your credit card company if you are interested in a refund.

"If you paid with a credit card and you did not get the product that you were promised, the credit card company should be able to take care of that, you are in a more difficult situation if you paid with cash," said U of H Law Professor David Tiede.

We called Urban Retreat and left a message, but there was no forwarding information. Another salon is offering to honor portions of Urban Retreat Gift cards, that spa is named Fringe Salon and Color Bar.

Call the spas making these offers to get the details before you show up.