BY MATT MACKINDER
Clarkston News Editor

When Fort Clarkston, a popular children’s party spot on Dixie Highway, closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, customers were reportedly left with no refunds after paying up front for gift cards and parties at the location.
Owner Pam Rush disagrees.
“Early in March, we put a deposit of $150 down for a birthday party in late March,” said Ashley Klein. “We hoped for an easy birthday party for our four-year-old. The only response Pam had ever given to us was a boilerplate automated response of ‘We’re away and can’t respond right now’ via Facebook messenger. This was the only method of contact; phone calls and emails were not being responded to either.
“Years ago, possibly before Pam was the owner, we had accumulated game cards, party vouchers and gift cards to Fort Clarkston that she would not honor for us either. The writing was on the wall and we should have known better.”

Rush denied the accusations.
“My story? Well, my story is COVID,” said Rush. “And from a business standpoint, this is a business that has not turned a profit since the beginning. Being that this was Year 5, we have learned from experience what works and what doesn’t revenue wise. This year was shaping up to get us in the red, and then we were shut down for seven months. Literally, no money from the beginning of March. Everyone was laid off. No money coming in and no way to change that.
“Just ask all the other businesses that have had to close permanently. We did refund quite a few for the first month or so but were paying out of pocket to do so. The business had nothing. On top of nothing, we still have a $200,000 loan and $13,500 monthly rent. These do not just go away.”
Rush added that at this point in time, ownership – which includes three other owners that she refused to name – is selling everything from the business to try and keep from bankruptcy.
“It is very unfortunate that there are people who lost a small amount of money,” Rush said. “The most is $100 as a down payment on a party. Anyone who tells you more than that is lying. Yes, there are gift cards that cannot be redeemed. People bought memberships. And it is sad. I’m sad. This was my baby. And it died. Just like that.
“As far as refunding money from Fort Clarkston and starting a new business, Fort Clarkston has no money. Remember, it died? The four of us who own Fort Clarkston are trying to scrape up the money to pay loans that could cause huge financial harm to us all. The new business was already created before COVID even started.”
Bryan Klein, Ashley’s husband, said his family actually loved going to Fort Clarkston, but that going there eventually turned sour.
“We were excited and impressed that we had our own little venue like this in Clarkston where we could take our kids and all relax and have fun,” Klein said. “When they first opened, they were constantly cleaning and there was a certain positive attitude that helped make it what is was. In recent years, they switched over to having parents pay to enter and then shortly dropped that, but after that period, we felt like it was more of a tarnished experience.
“We all know and understand that the COVID situation has been terrible for everyone, especially small businesses and even worse yet businesses in the realm of entertainment, but how she handled this situation is more about her character than her ability to stay in business. It’s a real shame that she cheated people out of prepaid services or parties while she helps operate another family business in Holly (Holly Powersports, also on Dixie Highway).”
Rush responded saying the two businesses have nothing in common.
“One business has nothing to do with the other and also has nothing to do with Fort Clarkston closing,” said Rush. “That has to do with COVID, plain and simple. I wish things were different because I absolutely loved Fort Clarkston and most of the people who were our customers. I’m not out to hurt people and many seem to think I am a wealthy person, but that is always the misconception of business owners.
“Do people care so little about this one person, and actually four who own Fort Clarkston, who are hurting because their business was ripped right out from under their feet and are now drowning in debt? No, they don’t. What about the psychological aspect with depression that goes with that loss? Ah, who cares? Let’s just scream injustice so loudly that no one notices the sad, broken people who aren’t collecting unemployment because they didn’t take a paycheck.”
Ashley Klein is holding out hope that she’ll see a refund.
“I’m still hopeful that she is going to do the right thing,” she said. “We really hope she finds a way to make this right with the people of a community that tried to support her business and have some family fun doing so. However, she’s proven that we shouldn’t put much faith in her ability to do the right thing.”