Leslie Paz had a “meltdown” last Wednesday. She was crying. She had no idea what would become of her wedding Sept. 17, and the more than 200 guests planning to attend the reception at West Valley Inn.

Her fiancé, Miguel Andujar, and Leslie’s family didn’t waste any time. They worked the phones, and by that afternoon everything was OK. Well, sort of. They still had to notify their wedding guests that instead of the West Valley Inn, the reception would be held at the Venus de Milo in Swansea.

Paz’s story is hardly unique. Other couples planning their weddings, as well as sporting organizations, school reunion committees and untold other groups, were told Wednesday that West Valley Inn would be ceasing its operations at the end of August. The announcement even came as a surprise to Nancy Thomas, who has handled public relations for West Valley.

“I don’t know what made it [the decision to close] happen so quickly,” she said Thursday.

Efforts to speak with the Correia family, who has owned and operated the facility for the past 38 years, either by phone or in person were unsuccessful.

“They are busy at this time and have no comment,” a reporter was told.

News broke last spring that the Correias were looking to sell the business and the two buildings and 12 acres making up the popular banquet hall in West Warwick. In addition to its banquet operations, West Valley, which operates under the name of Tara Food Services, also runs a family-style restaurant, soup and sauce and catering business from the property. It could not be clarified whether all branches of the business would be closing or a date for closing.

But Jeff Butler of Butler Real Estate, who has the listing for West Valley, made it clear that the closure isn’t happening because of an impending sale. The business and property have been for sale for two years, first being listed at $2.6 million, he said. It is currently listed at $1.5 million.

“It has not sold,” he said. “It may be closing, but it is still for sale and a really good real estate deal.” The sale includes all furniture and fixings, he added. The facility has five kitchens.

Paz, who works in the bookkeeping department at the Warwick Beacon, said she had a gut feeling that she should be looking for another location for the reception after hearing West Valley was for sale. She said her family assured her not to worry, and she was fearful if she changed plans she would lose her $500 deposit.

It seemed there was no reason to be concerned when the couple received a call on Aug. 8 inquiring about final reception arrangements. A meeting to review the plan was set up for this past Sunday at 1 p.m.

Then came the call last Wednesday with the word West Valley would close by the end of the month. No suggestions were offered as to what they might do or where to turn with such short notice.

“I was shocked,” Paz said. “I had a meltdown.”

The meltdown was at 2:30 p.m., but by 3 p.m. things were looking up. Andujar had made calls, discovering that places were booked or, as it turned out, not even answering the phone. When he reached the Venus by phone, they immediately guessed why he was calling and, even better, they had an opening for Sept. 17.

The couple and the family didn’t delay. They visited the Venus that afternoon and signed an agreement. The price is within the range of West Valley, she said.

“We went straight there,” said Paz.

Paz said West Valley offered to send or for her to stop in to get her $500 deposit. As for notifying her guests, Paz said the word has gotten out quickly. People have been calling and stopping by the house. She is also sending out emails and, naturally, will announce the change in venue at the wedding ceremony.

And what would she have done had the couple not been able to find another location?

“We were ready to pitch a tent,” she said. There’s going to be a wedding Sept. 17.