Joval goes out of business after taxpayer investment

About $1-million in taxpayers’ money was poured into the business.

Valentino and Joanne Acocella are the respective president and vice-president of the Liverpool used clothing business, which expanded in recent years to Barrington, Shelburne Co. as well. The number for this retail outlet was out of order.

Employee Charlotte Fancy received word of the situation on Dec. 10. The owners couldn’t be reached for comment.

Joanne Acocella is also listed as the sole proprietor of Valentino’s Restaurant and Lounge in Milton. The Nova Scotia Public Utilities and Review Board has advertised it is holding a liquor license Public Hearing 10 a.m. Dec. 18 at Milton Memorial Hall.

No one could be contacted at the restaurant.

On Dec. 14, the clothing store in the Liverpool waterfront plaza wasn’t open during its advertised hours and the Joval plant, which recycled clothing for export to developing nations, by The Dairy Treat closed last June.

In 1999, with great fanfare, the owners, and the provincial and federal governments announced Joval International Inc. would set up a plant in Liverpool and eventually employ 100 people from the area. Less than five, possibly only one or two, according to Fancy, were employed at the time the business closed its doors.

The project was worth $1.675-million, of which $750,000 came from the federal government, $250,000 from the provincial government and $675,000 from private investors. The balance owed wasn’t known at deadline as well.

Also at deadline, Fancy hadn’t received her two weeks pay, the vacation pay she said she was entitled to nor two weeks notice of the layoff.

Fancy estimated they owe her over $1,000.

“It’s sad,” she said, “I don’t even feel like putting a tree up.”

She wishes she had received some notice, so she could have looked for another job.

“I have bills to be paid, I have presents to buy, but I can’t do that,” said Fancy.

A Facebook group has been formed, supporting Fancy’s situation.

There was close to 100 members at deadline and the number was growing.

Members include past employees as well with the comments primarily negative in nature.

One member suggested a protest in front of Valentino’s Restaurant and Lounge.

Fancy has worked for the Acocella family for the past five years.