Keys' Restaurant, at the northwest corner of Guild and Pine streets, closed suddenly Monday, leaving an estimated 75 people out of work. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

Keys' Kitchen closes suddenly; cause unknown

Some workers say they're awaiting paychecks from the Lodi business

Keys' Kitchen, a deli and sandwich delivery business in Lodi's industrial area, closed suddenly Monday morning, with employees saying they received no explanation.

A few workers said that some of their previous paychecks had bounced as well.

"Probably every week for past two or three months, at least one of our checks bounced," said Heather Sexton, who worked at the deli while her fiance, Jason Thompson, 21, was a driver for the company.

"I have rent and truck payments, mouths to feed," Thompson said. "As long as I'm no longer an employee, they don't really care."

A woman who answered the phone at Keys' Kitchen on Monday afternoon said she would not comment. It is unclear if Monday's closure is permanent.

A roster of Lodi Chamber of Commerce members lists Michelle Keys as the owner.

Employees said the owners lived in Hawaii.

Signs posted at the business on Monday said that paychecks would come in the mail. Another note read: "Anyone not currently employed with Keys' Kitchen is not authorized in the building, regardless if you possess a key."

Sexton, one of six people who worked at the deli at Guild Avenue and Pine Street, said she had heard on Thursday that Keys' had lost the contract with a sandwich distribution company.

Then on Friday, Sexton said she was told that the deli would be open only one more week. Instead, it closed on Monday because Sexton called in sick and the other five deli employees walked out at about 9:30 a.m. because they didn't get their paychecks, according to Sexton.

"A bunch of B.S. â€" that's what it is," she said.

Thompson, a driver for Keys for about 14 months, said some $400 worth of his paychecks have bounced and he has not received his last two checks. Employees were paid weekly at the business.

"They still haven't answered me that I don't have a job," Thompson said.

"I know I don't, but I would still like to be told."

James Grooms, 37, worked at Keys' Kitchen for the last time on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. He was off Friday, but he said he got a phone call at about 4:45 p.m. He was told to come to the deli and turn in his key.

Grooms arrived an hour later, but no one was there. He was anxious to pick up his final two paychecks.

Keys' Kitchen is normally closed on weekends. Grooms returned there Monday morning to turn in his key and hoping to receive the checks he said he was owed.

Grooms said management took his key, but no check was forthcoming.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

First published: Tuesday, January 30, 2007