I wrote the owner of Austyn’s Restaurant a letter on Jan. 24, 2011, concerning two $25 gift certificates that were purchased for my Dad two days before Christmas.

I sent copies of them with the letter asking that my family be reimbursed for that money. Seven weeks have passed with no response.

After George Gagai’s letter concerning this was in the paper, I have heard from others who feel deceived by him as well.

What I don’t understand is how a restaurant owner could allow his employees to sell gift certificates knowing he was closing his restaurant within two weeks after Christmas. That is not a good business practice for his loyal Ironton customers.

My dad was certainly one of Austyn’s regulars, which was why we chose to buy him gift certificates from there when we had plenty of other options.

I hope others will write to Phi Chen c/o Austyn’s, 130 Front St., Marietta, OH, 45750, and ask that he do the right thing and reimburse the owners of these bogus gift certificates.

Rumors abound that he is planning on opening back up in April. If he doesn’t reimburse us before then or honor these gift certificates if he reopens, I certainly am not going to give him any more of my business.

Kimberly Schwab

Ironton