Only on ABC7News.com: Walnut Creek consignment store closes without playing customers

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- A longstanding and popular consignment store in Walnut Creek has suddenly shut its doors, leaving customers who were owed money with empty pockets. This is a story you'll see only on ABC7 News.

The Consignment Plus home furnishings store abruptly closed despite the fact that it still owes some of its customer's hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

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"It says the doors are chained and it says permanently they're closing," said Virginia Nolan, a former customer.

Nolan told ABC7 News that she has been shopping at the shop for years. She and Fisk Phelps just came to look this time but were out of luck.

"We don't know this has always been an interesting and wonderful place to come to," said Phelps.

Alicia Finster has a bigger problem. She consigned several pieces of Waterford crystal. Some of her pieces sold, but the rest are now locked inside. She's due a check for $476.

"This is my account number, they gave me an account number, this is my receipt," said Finster.

"About a week ago they gave me a call they had some funds for me and the asked if I wanted to come in and pick up and what have you, but never indicated that they would be closing," Finster told ABC7 News.

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The message on the store's main phone line gives customers little guidance except to wait for a call or letter with further instructions.

The same message is on the sign on the front door, but so far, no one we talked with has received that information.

We reached out to the owner, Patti Evans, but so far, no response.

Early Friday evening Consignment Plus filed for bankruptcy.