ABC57 speaks with owner, employees of JC's Coal Oven Pizza Co. following abrupt August closure

GRANGER, Ind. — ABC57 News was able to speak with Jesse Onate, the founder, chairman of the board and managing member of JC's Coal Oven Pizza Co. A notice sits on the door saying the building is no longer open by order of the landlord.

ABC57 was told by several employees they haven't been paid in nearly a month and had no clue if or when they will return to work.

Jesse Onate tells ABC57 on July 30, there was a water main break. He says he filed an insurance claim, but it cost him money out of pocket, and he had to close his doors. We were able to reach him over the phone.

"Now we're just awaiting the disbursement of the claim, so I can get back up and running. There's no cash flow. All of my accounts are on hold right now. They're all frozen. That's the other thing, I can't take any money out if there's no money coming in," said Onate.

It's also led to frustrated employees like William Wood, a line cook at JC's, who says he hasn't been paid since about August 16.

"This current situation I’m essentially running behind on rent. I’m actually in the process of being essentially kicked out so I’ve had to try to figure out where I’m going. What’s going on and I’ve messaged him a couple different times asking like 'hey you’re supposed to pay us as an employer, where’s my money at?'"

Onate Tells ABC57 "all tipped employees have been paid in full and there are some employees who are owed wages."

He says after fixing the water main break, JC's briefly reopened on August 7, before closing a couple days later when Onate says "we were open for two days, and then they locked me out on the 10th."

The closure, allegedly due to unpaid August rent. Onate saying, "my rent was paid 100% in full leading up to August the 1st."

However, when asked what the lease says about rent, Onate did say it gives tenants seven days to pay.

Now, Onate says his goal is to get back into his business and start serving pizzas again — sharing "I just had a court hearing yesterday with the insurance company to settle the claim. So, we're just waiting to be awarded the damages. They're giving me loss of business income, loss business income and payroll from July 30 till yesterday."

Wood says he was unaware of the hearing and feels the communication hasn't been good.

“No, that information was not pushed out to us as employees and those of us that are waiting for some kind of indication is what’s happening.”

ABC57 obtained screenshots of an internal company group chat. Employees tell us they're frustrated by getting mixed messages about the restaurant and their job status.

The messages include multiple potential re-opening dates and timelines. Onate described it as communicating with his team.

Now, he says his goal is to start serving pizzas again and serve with his heart. However, for Wood, he says he's counting on getting the money he's owed and will be moving forward.

"I personally will most likely not be going back there."