Hundreds told they were no longer employed at company

TROY (WXYZ) - Hundreds of employees at Entertainment in Troy were unexpectedly told the company was bankrupt and they had to leave immediately.

“I just was told that the company was closing and packed my stuff and leave…say my goodbyes and go,” said former worker Melanie Grinnell.

Grinnell is one of about 400 who worked for the company that made coupon books.

According to Grinnell, the company told employees it filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at midnight.

“No severance,” said Grinnell.  “Yesterday was our last paid day and no insurance so that’s going to be difficult. ”

The swift move also comes as a shock to customers.

“I would give it to my kids,” said customer Vern Schenk.  “I would get a couple for myself or give it to my neighbors but it is just a sad thing.”

Grinnell has worked at Entertainment for 19 years. She told 7 Action News it was tough saying goodbye.

“I loved everybody that I worked with and I’m going to miss everybody,” said Grinnell.  “Every time you would see somebody you would kind of burst into tears or at least I was.”

7 Action News made attempts to speak to managers, but no one had a comment. No one from the company, based in Indiana, would return phone calls to 7 Action News.

According to several bankruptcy attorneys, once a company files Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they are no longer under contract with the individual stores who have made the coupons.

They said it would be up to the stores to decide whether they want to honor the coupons.