The Nebraska Attorney General’s office has received 120 complaints in connection with gift and wine cards from Brix. After the business closed both its locations last week, the cards appeared to be worthless. WOWT 6 News talked with one business who is accepting them.

In the restaurant business, December is always the biggest month for gift card sales. It’s why so many consumers are lighting up message boards and contacting us about Brix closing its doors – just days into the New Year – leaving their gift cards with no value.

When Mark Kitson heard Brix had closed – stiffing customers with now-worthless gift cards -- he met with his team. “My staff and I sat down together and said, ‘What do you think we can do to at least show these people that someone is looking out for them?’”

The general manager of Louie’s Wine Dive at 168th and West Center knew he couldn’t fix the mess of another business, but he wanted to do something. “It was the least I could do for fellow wine drinkers.”

Louie’s Wine Dive decided it would accept a competitor’s gift and wine cards, but with conditions. “I felt bad. I felt bad for those customers who had spent their money.”

Since this owner has no way of knowing how much each Brix card is worth, his deal would be one part promotion – two parts goodwill.

“I’m just trying to soften the blow,” said Kitson. “I’ve had people who have come in here and have spent a lot of money – and they’re not going to get anything. They’re not going to get anything for their money – so it’s the least I can do is offer you a nice glass of wine or an appetizer…on me.”

On this night, customer Lisa Kreikemeier had a couple of cards with her. “I think altogether on these cards is $50,” she said.

One was a gift. “The other one is a next door neighbor’s and we found out that everything was closed so she threw her gift card at me.”

But now she has an option with the Brix card at Louie’s Wine Dive.

It won’t make it whole, but a glass of house wine or a buy one get one appetizer – as some customers have said – is better than nothing.

“We were walking in,” said Kreikemeier. “Literally took a picture and sent it to everyone a message and said, ‘Now we have a place to use the gift card.’ So we’re excited.”

The founder of Brix, Dan Matysuk, has said very little about the closing or the gift/wine cards – only that they cannot be used at his other Midtown Crossing business. The other Brix location was at Village Pointe. This was part of his statement from last week: “As much as we'd like to accept Brix gift cards and wine cards at Grane, our whiskey and craft cocktail concept located at Midtown Crossing, the companies are run separately with two different operating systems for both gift cards and wine cards, so it's not feasible. Grane remains open and we continue to appreciate the patronage of our loyal customers.”

In October, a former assistant manager at Brix was arrested for felony theft. He was under suspicion by his colleagues since May.

Omaha Police allege Brenton McLaurine stole $110,000 in a gift card scheme. It’s not clear if that is connected to the business closing its doors.

If you have been affected and want to file a complaint, contact the Nebraska attorney general’s office,

or call (800) 727-6432)