SAN DIEGO — The Synergy gift card program shut down without warning Friday afternoon, stranding customers who thought they had until Saturday to use their remaining balance and catching local restaurants off guard as the company prepares to file for bankruptcy.
The popular gift cards, sold at Costco, allowed customers to use their balance at dozens of San Diego restaurants. Days earlier, Synergy announced that cards would expire Sunday, February 1, prompting many people to rush out and spend what they had left.
Flavors of East Africa in North Park is one restaurant the Synergy gift cards could be used at. Manager David Buelna said Synergy cards made up 80% of the restaurant’s sales the night before. The rush continued Friday, until the system suddenly failed…