The abrupt closure of Chez L’Amour in St. Augustine left couples who paid thousands to book rehearsal dinners at the restaurant scrambling for alternatives for their upcoming weddings.

But another St. Augustine business, Panache Salon & Spa, is rallying the community to come to the rescue.

According to a GoFundMe organized by Michelle Vijgen, a partner at Panache, a community leader has pledged to match every dollar donated to help the couples, up to $2,500.

That generous donor, Greg Smith, said this is a moment for the St. Augustine community to “rise up together.”

So far, the campaign has raised $1,448 with a goal of $6,000 to help out the couples who lost their rehearsal dinner deposits when Chez L’Amour closed without warning.

One of the couples shared their story with News4JAX.

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