Re: East Side Mario’s in Kamloops closing its doors.

I thought I was lucky to hear the news on Saturday because I still had $125 in gift certificates to use up that I had purchased in support of the restaurant. East Side had become one of my family’s favourites.

So on Saturday I called East Side and asked if they were taking reservations for Sunday. Indeed they were, so they took my reservation for 5 p.m. for seven people. They confirmed that Sunday was their last day of operation and indicated they looked forward to seeing us.

I called my children up and invited them and my one grandchild for dinner on Grandma’s and Grandpa’s dime.

Sunday rolls around we all load into the cars and arrive at the restaurant at 4:55 p.m. to be greeted by a locked door and sign stating: “Thanks for your patronage — this location is closed.”

I don’t know who the owner(s) are, but I would like to find out so I can give them back their worthless gift certificates personally and present them with the bill for the supper my family enjoyed at Boston Pizza.

Oh, and furthermore, tell them to hang their heads in shame for at least not having the decency to call to cancel my reservation.

KEN WHITE

Kamloops