A popular California restaurant is closing following a lawsuit centered around its "ladies' night" events.
Lima, a family-run restaurant in Concord, California, is shutting its doors next week after settling a discrimination lawsuit over its ladies' night promotions. The restaurant posted on Facebook earlier this month that it was "unable to fully recover" from the lawsuit and the "compounded" issues it faced regarding increased operation costs.
Newsweek contacted Lima for comment by phone outside normal business hours.
Why It Matters
Gender-based promotions, such as ladies' nights, have faced legal trouble under the California Civil Rights Act. In 1985, the state's Supreme Court ruled that ladies' day promotions at car washes and elsewhere and ladies' night promotions at restaurants and nightclubs violated the act.
"All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever," the legislation said.
Other organizations in the state, such as a minor league baseball team in Fresno earlier this year, have faced similar lawsuits.
What To Know
Lima's ladies' night promotion offered women drinks, including wine, at half price for three hours each week, a deal that had been going on for years.
"It's a frivolous lawsuit that took us down. It's just ambulance-chasing lawyers," John Marquez, Lima's chef and owner, told ABC News.
Marquez started Lima, which has been around for almost nine years, after returning from an apprenticeship with Cevicheria La Mar and Panchita Sazon Criolla in Lima, Peru. The chef was born in Lima and grew up in Danville, California. He learned to cook by watching his grandmother and shopping at the farmers market for traditional ingredients.
"Sadly we have to announce the permanent closure of Lima," a post on the restaurant's Facebook page said. "Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to fully recover from the recent discrimination lawsuit related to our ladies' night discount plus the challenges we faced were compounded by the operating costs increases that have affected our industry."
The restaurant serves various Peruvian dishes, including ceviche; empanadas; pollo a la brasa, which is a roasted chicken with Peruvian spices; and arroz con mariscos, a Peruvian-style paella.
"We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years," the Facebook post continued. "Your patronage has meant the world to us, and we are proud of the community we built together."
What People Are Saying
Marvsky Avziadorzki commented on Lima's Facebook post: "People nowadays are narrow minded and too sensitive to whatever's revolving around them. Filing a lawsuit for the sake of destroying someone's livelihood, business reputation, and selfish gratification is unacceptable."
Jeff Ramon commented on the post: "This is horrible. you guys had the best Peruvian food in the Bay Area."
Richard Remigio commented on the post: "This is so heartbreaking! We will miss dining with you!"
What Happens Next
On Facebook, users in Florida, Texas and other states encouraged the family to open a new location near them. Despite these pleas, Lima, according to its social media announcement, is scheduled to "permanently close" on December 31.
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