Chloe Lane Employees Walk
Updated on May 16, 2009
Chloe Lane owner Michael Gribetz has replaced four of six employees after staff locked the store and walked out on May 14, just as Gribetz’s home, Falcor, went to foreclosure. Employees left due to “continual non-payment and general disgust at the lack of honesty between ownership [and employees] having to due [sic] with the financial status of the company,” reported one former worker, who wished to remain anonymous. Chloe Lane remained open after the walk-out, and Gribetz fired two workers via text message Thursday night. All employees received paychecks Friday morning, and Gribetz offered his staff a chance to apologize. One did, and continues to work at the store, while the other five have left for good — and stand by their decision.
“This was not the first time that our pay had been late in recent times due to something that is conveniently beyond [Chloe Lane's] control,” one employee noted. “What’s more is that we went through multiple months of late payments last fall and stayed strong because there was a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of the Christmas season that could have solved some problems if ownership was willing to make some much needed changes that might have saved the company. Everyone who walked has not returned and do not plan on returning.”
The employee added doubts that Chloe Lane would survive.
“While [Gribetz] insists that the company will be fine, being on the inside for multiple years, we have watched the fall of the Chloe Lane Empire. It saddens us all to have to part this way; but no matter if he can pay us a week, or week and a half late, it is still late, and our bills are due at the same time no matter what. We stayed as long as possible but the problems only continue to worsen, and it was time for the line to be drawn.”
Gribetz said his phone rang off the hook as soon as word leaked that Chloe Lane was hiring, and he has quickly replaced most of his staff. With the summer months coming, Chloe Lane supporters expect the boutique to rebound with strong sales.
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I was just there and bought the hottest jeans.
Not true!
The Company couldn’t process their credit cards and had 0 cash flow for almost 3 weeks.
Everyone who ‘walked out’ yesterday were asked to return and didn’t were fired.
Today everyone was paid!
Michael was much too good to those kids, paying them ‘bonuses’ all this past season when sales were slow.
Now they will have to go out into the ‘real’ world and see how tough it is!
Michael, we all know these are difficult times, but hang in there. The whole town is pulling for you!
In the ‘Real World’ people get paid for the work that they do. Michael has made some bad decisions with his money and in his life in general, employees shouldn’t have to go through financial termoil because of the decisions HE made. At any company in this country, you show up, you do your job and you get a paycheck, why should this one be any different? It’s not fair to make employees wait for their money that they earned when they had nothing to do with the way the money was handled within the company. I don’t work there, but I can’t imagine not getting a paycheck when I counted on it, and especially for an extended period of time. Good Luck ex-Chloe Laners, you will be missed and you did the right thing. This town needs to realize that Michael is no night in shining armor.
I’m sure the phones were ringing off the hook with silly young girls from Salt Lake thinking it would be like, so keeewwwwl to work at Chloe Lane and be part of the hip, inside PC crowd, lol. They will work for a nearly 60 year old Peter Pan who validates himself by hanging with people less than half his age, some 1/3 his age, all of whom will vaporize when CL closes its doors…which is absolutely inevitable. This town is full of people not paying their bills right now, and it’s disgusting.
And “Customer” you didn’t mention that those “hot” jeans you bought today were 75% off, as the store is basically on sale hoping to survive.
The real story is that when Michael had the money, he always invested it in Chloe Lane 15mil of it. No one wishes he still had the money to pay the bills more than Michael. He’s broke and his daughter is paying his bills.
The employees not getting paid was a banking, credit card, cash flow issue.
They know exactly what was going on that they were going to get paid on Friday morning, as they did, and walked out Thursday anyway.
He did the right thing by firing them!
Sometimes it’s good to ‘clean house’
FYI none of the new employees are under 30, some older and
the “hot” new jeans were full price Roc and Republic.
Don’t count ‘Peter Pan’ out from flying again. The whole town is behind him.
Chloe Lane has collected Sales Tax on the the average of $300,000 per year for the last 5 years.
That’s dollars that helps everyone in Park City. Even you ‘Tic Tock’ and your lazy, jealous ass!
We are rooting for Michael and Chloe Lane!!!
“The real story is that when Michael had the money, he always invested it in Chloe Lane 15mil of it.”
Um…yeah, and a house in Boca for $7.9 mil that he had to dump last year for $5.5 mil; and a house in Deer Valley for $6 r $7 mil;
“No one wishes he still had the money to pay the bills more than Michael.”
Ya think? Duh. I’m sure no one wishes more than Michael that he still had a couple homes worth 13 or 14 mil as well.
“The employees not getting paid was a banking, credit card, cash flow issue.”
OH! No worries then lol.
The guy pissed away millions, it sucks but he did it to himself living bigger than he could really afford, as many others in this town are (read the Park Record today about the guy who bought Steve Young’s house and is not paying his mortgage, either.)
He had a great run of great houses, a sexy business, and an endless supply of hot women, hell yeah I’m jealous!!!
Hey Ticky Tack.
You just gave yourself away.
Ask Josh and Mom where they got the 2 mil in inventory and capital to start their e-bay biz. (Court documents)
Ask if their tax returns have been audited. (dig a little deeper)
This story is far from over.
It’s only the 7th inning and none of them are stretching!!!
AND still be jealous of Michael. Even broke, he still has many good friends and a few hot women. Imagine that!!!
8
Not hard at all to figure out… YOU are jealous of Michael and I don’t blame you, he’s a great man. Loser means a lost. OMG!!! Are you still crying over that self centered p p person? Get a life buddy! Michael, rich, poor… You are a wonderful man, as for Valerie, no comments at all. Don’t you see what’s going on in here? She’ll burn in hell! “Even broke, he still has many good friends and A FEW hot women. Imagine that!!! Yours could be the next one” LOL. Michael has what it takes, he has good character, something that Valerie doesn’t even know what it means. Well, live and learn, not always the case, but let’s hope you’ll learn. LOL!!! How sad!!! LOL!!!
WOW!!! THIS PAGE ALSO NEEDS JEN!!! You all should use this website and find places to go, things to do, restaurants to eat, movies to watch. Leave the gossip behind.
um….the name of this site is ParkCityVoyeur…it’s a place to come and unwind with some mindless dishing.
As a former three year employee I never experienced a more generous owner/employer who was so involved in his business. The insurance, bonuses, and employee discounts were over the top and unheard of in the retail marketplace. When the store made money it was shared. When Michael received tickets to concerts, Sundance, etc. they were shared also. If a customer needed a ride somewhere in the bad weather he would jump in there and take them. He was always available to talk to customers about a certain collection and why he was excited about it. He is just a passionate personality and that shows in every way: his children, grandchildren, business, long term friends, and his love interests. His is a very trusting person. Never met anyone who was not impressed and genuinely charmed by Michael. We are all supporting you!
Floridanow,
Michael is so appreciative of you kind words.
However, I am so sad to report, that Michael has lost the battle with his ex wife, Valerie Chandler for the controle of Chloe lane. As of this Friday, she will own 100% of Chloe Lane’s parent Company. All of her actions documented in previous posts here have proven her true intent. She has wanted Michael’s Stores all along and knowing how this would destroy him.
Michael has told his current employees that the 7 years of the Chloe Lane glory days are now done. I know that Michael is totally sick over this, but hopes for the good of Park City that Valerie will rebuild Chloe Lane back to it’s original glory.
Please pray for Michael who has lost everything, except his loving and giving spirit. He remains the most remarkable and positive person I have ever met!
This post is a little old, but I am curious if anyone here knows of Sandie Tillotson, the NuSkin lady… her hush-hush divorce from her most recent boy-toy has turned out similarly to Michael’s - only Sandie- the billionaire - has taken everything, even the shirt of his back. Some advice from an insider, never underestimate a woman “scorned”. Sandie’s man left her for someone much younger and hotter and she’s pissed.
Hello! I was wondering if Chloe Lane is still open? I’ll be coming into town for Christmas and had planned on visiting the store. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the clothes in this store, especially about the brands of jeans. I’ve tried to google to see if they have an online website to shop from. Does anyone know if there is a website?
Thank you,
Amy
It’s all gone, all three stores. What a shame - all that effort.