The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into local businesswoman Jeanetta Cebollero, owner of the recently closed St. Augustine restaurant Chez L’Amour, the agency told The Citizen.
Cebollero is accused of failing to notify several brides that the restaurant had shut down, despite many having paid thousands of dollars to reserve the venue months in advance for wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions.
The restaurant, located at 45 San Marco Ave., closed in early September after Cebollero said it failed several city inspections — an assertion city officials have pushed back on.
The building now sits empty — just two years after Chez L’Amour opened in 2023.
Action News Jax reported that attorney Charles Kohler, who represents the property owner, said the restaurant had not paid rent for almost one year. He said the business was already in the process of moving out and had been evicted on Sept. 2.
The outlet also reported that city officials denied inspection issues were the cause of the restaurant’s closure.
Customers with upcoming wedding events said they were not directly contacted about the closure, and many were forced to find new venues on short notice.
Cebollero has said she plans to refund the affected customers.
In addition to operating Chez L’Amour, Cebollero has been a principal with Ancient City Entertainment, which has organized local events such as the Palatka Blue Crab Festival and As If! 90s Fest in St. Augustine.
Both events have faced criticism and delays. Cebollero has previously acknowledged that financial strains and logistical complications beset those efforts.
