California Restaurant Closes After Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Over “Ladies Night” Promotion
A popular California restaurant is shutting down after a pricey gender discrimination lawsuit over its “Ladies Night” drink discounts. đ #News #OaklandCA #California #Crime
OAKLAND, CA – A beloved family-owned restaurant in California‘s Bay Area is shutting its doors after being hit with a costly gender discrimination lawsuit over a weekly “Ladies Night” promotion. Lima Restaurant, a Peruvian eatery located in Concord, will serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve, marking the end of nearly a decade in business. The lawsuit, which centers around the restaurant’s female-only drink discounts, has drained the businessâs funds and led to its closure.
The Lawsuit’s Financial Toll on Lima Restaurant
Lima Restaurant, known for offering discounted drinks to women every week, has faced a steep financial strain from the lawsuit filed last year. The promotion, which offered half-price drinks and wine for female customers during designated hours, has been at the center of the legal battle.
Restaurant owner John Marquez explained that the suit, combined with rising operating costs, led to severe cash flow issues. Despite the restaurantâs long-standing popularity, the costs associated with defending the lawsuit have been too much to overcome, forcing Marquez to close the doors after New Yearâs Eve.
Public Reaction to the Closure
The decision to close Lima Restaurant has sparked outrage among local patrons who feel the lawsuit is unjust.
Many have expressed their support for the restaurantâs promotional efforts, arguing that offering discounts for women does not equate to gender discrimination. Customers who have frequented Lima for years feel the lawsuit is an attack on a harmless and popular event.
In their view, promoting womenâs nights at a restaurant does not discriminate against men, and they have voiced frustration that such a successful business has been driven to shutdown due to legal costs.
Broader Legal Implications for Gender-Specific Promotions
Lima Restaurant is not alone in facing legal challenges for its âLadies Nightâ promotions. A similar lawsuit recently targeted the Fresno Grizzlies, a minor league baseball team, over a free admission event for women.
Lawsuits like these highlight the ongoing legal battles around gender-specific marketing, especially in states like California, where the Unruh Civil Rights Act of 1959 prohibits discrimination based on sex.
Other states, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, have seen similar legal actions, with courts ruling that gender-based discounts can violate civil rights laws. While some argue that these promotions are harmless, courts have consistently ruled that they may violate anti-discrimination laws, with consequences far beyond just public backlash. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Itâs a harmless act.
We, the people need the court of justices, not the court of laws.
While it may be considered discriminatory, Intent should be a component of necessity to file a suit of this nature. given evaluation of intent, a reasonable settlement could have been reached. Instead, now an established business with employees is going out of business. We have to question the motives of those bringing this suit.
appears to be a sleazy law firm that finds a client or by itself search for discrimination lawsuits that have no merit, just how the law firm profits and bankdrupts family-owned businesses doing to harm. I want to know what law firm filed suit, if by itself or found a client. a discount to get more women from going to the straight place with a lot of men looking for women is not discrimination.
Couldn’t have said it any better myself, Al! Agreed! Thanks for reading – hope you have a great new year! – Jack and Kitty
Hi Marty! REALLY good points. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. PS: One of my favorite musicians is named Marty Gold – he started in swing jazz and later did groovy lounge music. Hope you have a great 2025! Cheers, Jack (and Kitty)
Hey John – Totally agree! Great points, thanks so much for reading and sharing. Have an awesome 2025! – Jack and Kitty đ