My family had lived, volunteered and owned a business in Doylestown Borough for 20 years. Earlier this year (2/11/17)my oldest son got married in a small ceremony at Fonthill. His bride's family was from NYC and though they were having a larger celebration in Manhattan a couple of months later, this immediate family-only ceremony was an opportunity to showcase our beloved hometown where my son grew up and graduated from CB West. After scouting out several possible venues, My son and his then-fiancé made a reservation at Maxwell's in October to hold our post-ceremony dinner in the upstairs area In front of the large bow window. We understood that our event would not be private but were assured (in person and via email) that our group of 16 could be comfortably accommodated in that spot. I should also add we would be arriving around 5pm and finishing by around 7, in plenty of time to free the space for the late evening crowds.
When we arrived shortly after 5 following the ceremony, we were directed to
the downstairs "sports pub" to have our dinner. I might add that not only was my daughter-in-law dressed in her wedding gown but the rest of us were in gowns and formalwear. Why the manager thought this was an acceptable seating arrangement is beyond me!
When my husband approached him and asked why we weren't being seated in the reserved area we were told that a bigger group had arrived who wanted that seating so we were bumped in order to accommodate the larger group. Wow! Great policy! :(
The compromise was us being
Moved from the sports pub to a very cramped area between the upstairs bar and the wall o the other side of the room, giving us no room to socialize, take photos, etc.
In their defense the waitstaff was lovely...I think they felt bad and did their best to make our event special. But literally no
One could move and since we were seated back to
back, it was difficult to converse. My husband and I approached the manager who was very defensive about his reason for not seating us in the reserved area, but offered to take a percentage off of our tab to make up for it.
However, when my son received and paid the check, there was no discount. Not wanting to mar what otherwise had been a beautiful wedding day, he paid the bill in full, but when questioned by
my husband and I, acknowledged there was no discount. We returned to talk to the manager who
now claimed he "wasn't willing to offer a discount" though literally just minutes before had told us he would. His new promise was to offer us a free brunch the next day. Not to the whole group, mind you, but only the bride and groom! Really? Of course we had a family brunch planned already so
Why on earth would he think the bride and groom
would leave the family and head up to M.O.M.'s to
Have brunch alone? They were leaving for their honeymoon the next day. And since they live in NYC, which we told him, they would not be able to come down and have brunch any time soon. When we declined that "empty" offer he told us he would speak to his supervisors and the matter "would be resolved."
Nothing was resolved! After waiting nearly two weeks there was no credit to my son's card and no offer of compensation of any type.
I decided to write a letter to the ownership group expressing my displeasure. My point being that as fellow Doylestown business owners, you don't promise customers what you can't deliver and if you can't deliver, you make it up to them. I'm
Sorry to say, that didn't happen! The ownership group never responded to or even acknowledged my letter, so they have now lost the business of long-time patrons. I have also spread the word about the disappointing and disgraceful handling of the situation to the many friends we have in the area. Furthermore, I work at two local museums and when visitors to the area ask for restaurant recommendations, I specifically advise them NOT to go to M.O.M's.
Too bad...what a terrible way to treat long-time borough residents, neighbors and fellow Borough business owners on the evening of a very special occasion. M.O.M.'s is a huge disappointment! Stay away! read more