CONCORD, Calif. (KGO) — A family-run restaurant is reportedly shutting down as a result of it held a “girls night time” promotion and needed to settle a discrimination lawsuit.
Now because of monetary considerations, the proprietor of Lima in Harmony says it’s compelled to shut on the finish of the yr.
The signal on the door makes the closure clear whereas inside, clients are having fun with one final cocktail, another meal at Lima.
It is a signal of Harmony, Calif-based restaurant Lima closing on Dec. 31, 2024.
“It is simply unhappy. It is simply so unhappy,” mentioned Cindy Wright from Bay Level.
The family-run restaurant in downtown Harmony has been round for practically 9 years and is now set to shut completely on the finish of the month.
“I imply I really like this place. It is like household to us,” Cindy mentioned.
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The proprietor telling ABC7 Information they have not been in a position to totally bounce again from the price of settling a latest discrimination lawsuit associated to discounting drinks for ladies on its “Women Evening.”
“It is a frivolous lawsuit that took us down. It is simply ambulance-chasing legal professionals,” mentioned John Marquez, Chef, Proprietor Lima restaurant.
A number of related lawsuits have been filed all through the nation taking goal at variations of “Women Evening.”
Together with earlier this yr in Fresno, when its minor league baseball workforce was sued over a “Women Evening” promotion.
“It was precisely that discrimination over “Women Evening,” Marquez mentioned.
“Did it shock you? Have been you shocked by that?,” requested ABC7’s Tara Campbell.
“tI was rather a lot. I see girls night time each the place and out of the state, so sure I used to be shocked by it,” Marquez mentioned.
In accordance the state, gender-based promotions like “Women Nights” can land companies in authorized hassle, violating California’s civil rights act.
At Lima, the price of the lawsuit simply piled on to an already powerful time with high-inflation driving up the price of getting these meals to the desk.
“With eating places, the revenue margins are razor-thin, and stuff like this doesn’t assist companies in any respect. I do not know what must be finished about it, possibly town or state ought to change some guidelines to assist out small companies in the neighborhood,” Marquez mentioned.
And a few of its clients agree.
“It’s totally unhappy to see a whole lot of household -run locations in downtown Harmony disappearing and changed by company chains that may pay the excessive lease and it isn’t the identical,” mentioned Phil Quinlen of Harmony.
And shortly, it will not be the identical for the servers or employees right here, quickly to be out of a job.
“I am actually, actually disillusioned and unhappy. I used to be getting actually accustomed to the group and understanding all of the regulars that come to the restaurant and a whole lot of them got here right now to say goodbye as a result of they are going to be travelling for the vacations,” mentioned Butch Madayag, server at Lima.
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The regulars becoming in as a lot time as they will earlier than the doorways shut on December 31.
“I do not find out about all of the legal guidelines and the way these items work out, however that is going out of enterprise for that cause. I do not know, it is simply unhappy. There’s lots of people that come right here and luxuriate in this place and that is finish of it,” mentioned John Wright, from Bay Level.
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