Ticket Refund Chances Slim

Persons left holding worthless tickets after two Salt Lake supper clubs closed this spring stand very little chance of getting their money back.

State and county legal officials say that owners of the clubs must first pay secured creditors before refunding ticket money to buyers.

Both the Gaslight Theater, 826 S Maln, and Tiffany's Attic, located in Arrow Press Square, closed in May, citing problems ranging from finances to alleged arson.

So scores of ticket holders were left with barred doors and no performers. Many have appealed for help to the newspapers, county attorney and the Utah Attorney General's office.

A spokeswoman at the State Trade Commission said about 200 persons with tickets to Gaslight Theater have complained to her office, and about 50 persons with tickets to Tiffany's Attic have complained.

In letters to the Deseret News Do It Man, ticket holders wrote, for example, "I spent $58.15 for reservations at Tiffany's Attic. Now the problem. We cannot reach by telephone or contact anyone personally at the club."

The Deseret News has been unable to contact either the owners or their representatives this week.

"The problem is, the owners have to pay their secured creditors first," said Deputy County Atty. Gregory Bown. That means, for example, that if Tiffany's Attic borrowed money for the lighting system and signed a secured contract, the lending firm gets first crack at the theater's leftover money.

"The way it looks to me, people who paid for tickets have lost their money," said Mike Martinez, consumer affairs specialist for the Attorney General's Office.

Even so, he added, ticket holders should go to Small Claims Court and seek a favorable judgment. "Then, if the theaters do have money left over after paying other debts, these people will be assured of getting their money back."