Home » Concord: LIMA Set to Close After Discrimination Lawsuit

Concord: LIMA Set to Close After Discrimination Lawsuit

by CC News
Concord

LIMA, a Peruvian Restaurant in the City of Concord announced it was set to close on December 31 after a legal battle of alleged discrimination during “ladies night”.

While details could not be shared about the alleged discrimination that occurred, they shared they were sued for “discrimination alleging that all patrons who do not identify as female, including men, non-binary individuals and transgender men, were required to pay full price for their alcoholic beverages while patrons who identify as female were given 50% off their alcoholic beverages and now we are facing a difficult hardship in having to pay for the lawsuit and attorney’s fees.”

The case has now been settled, however, its left them with a financial burden.

According to Chef John Marquez, they are not allowed to share much details over the lawsuit and settlement, including cost, but confirmed they have bee unable to fully recover from the lawsuit which was compounded by the increased operating cost increases which has affected their industry.

He added “ladies’ night” was canceled as soon as they received the lawsuit.

“It was not enough for these people as they wanted financial compensation, and based on several attorney’s recommendations and our attorney’s advise we settled out of court and absorb all the expenses,” explained Marquez

LIMA

Lima announced the closure on social media:

LIMA WILL PERMANENTLY CLOSE DECEMBER 31st. 2024 but there’s still time to enjoy outstanding cuisine and flavorful drinks!

Sadly we have to announce the permanent closure of Lima. 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.

We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years. Your patronage has meant the world to us, and we are proud of the community we built together.

Thank you for the memories and for being a part of the Lima family. We hope to see you one last time before we close our doors on December 31st.

GoFundMe Launched to Assist with Legal Fees

The restaurant announced a GoFundMe back in September 2023, citing a need for help for legal justice where they explained the legal action was financially devastating to the business and threatened their survivorship.

The restaurant offered “Ladies Night” and it consisted of ladies getting well drinks and wine for half the price between 5:30pm to 8:30 pm. once a week.

Recently we were sued for discrimination alleging that all patrons who do not identify as female, including men, non-binary individuals and transgender men, were required to pay full price for their alcoholic beverages while patrons who identify as female were given 50% off their alcoholic beverages and now we are facing a difficult hardship in having to pay for the lawsuit and attorney’s fees.  — more info, click here

Editors Note – “Ladies’ Night” Promotions Violate California Law: In 1959, California enacted the Unruh Civil Rights Act to set forth what now seems like the basic principle that a business establishment cannot discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation1.


About  Chef John Marquez

LIMA restaurant is the latest creation of award winning Chef John Marquez after returning from an apprenticeship at the acclaimed Cevicheria La Mar & Panchita Sazon Criolla in Lima, Peru; both owned by Chef Gaston Acurio, considered the ambassador of Peruvian Cuisine.

Executive Chef Marquez was born in Lima Peru where he watch his grandmother cook after accompanying her to the farmers market daily to shop for the family’s traditional ingredients. At a very young age, he started experimenting with food and crafting dinner; perhaps his interpretation of dinner for his mom & dad.

Chef Marquez grew up in Danville and graduated from college with a degree in Culinary Arts and Hotel & Restaurant Management while doing a formal apprenticeship at Bridges with Chef Kevin Gin. At age 21, he moved to Las Vegas to work at Lutece in the Venetian Hotel, with the goal of chefing for Julian Serrano at Picasso in the Bellagio Hotel where he worked for almost three years after working pro bono until a position opened. The opportunity to work with Daniel Patterson at his restaurant at that time, Elisabeth Daniel, brought Marquez back to the Bay Area. This experience enabled Marquez to move to the Napa Valley wine country to work for Thomas Keller at the world famous French Laundry who then sent him to New York to help open Per Se in 2004. After that, Marquez returned to the Napa Valley as Chef de Partie to re-open the newly remodeled French Laundry, both three Michelin star rated properties. When Daniel Patterson again reached out to him, Marquez accepted the position of Chef de Cuisine at Patterson’s new restaurant, Coi, currently rated as a two Michelin star restaurant.

Gaining a variety of executive chef knowledge enabled Marquez to open his own upscale, Contemporary California-French cuisine Artisan Bistro in Lafayette California in March 2009 where customers and critics alike admired his talent, creativity, professionalism and work ethic.

As an Executive Chef, whom is Peruvian, his passion, talent, creativity and love for his country has captivated him to declare authentic Peruvian cuisine and continue his grandmother’s native traditions at LIMA using quality, authentic, earthy ingredients with a unique twist.


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