WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A group of small investors had a dream: restoring The Classic Cat, an iconic Sunset Strip hotspot that honors the past but reflects the upscale destination that is West Hollywood today. Nestled on the storied Sunset Blvd, near legendary nightclubs Whisky a Go Go and The Viper Room, The Classic Cat had been a regular haunt for Hollywood stars.
Then, the #COVID-19 pandemic hit — a sure challenge for restaurants across the country. But, surviving the numerous challenges throughout the global pandemic paled in comparison to the arbitrary, bureaucratic nightmare that Los Angeles County and City of West Hollywood are now putting the restaurant — and so many other restaurants — through.
The restaurant has bent over backwards to please the county and city, in order to reach the goalposts that continue to move. A retractable roof in the restaurant creates a COVID-safe outdoor dining patio. The restaurant also added numerous protections including installing plexiglass and air ventilation improvements. All the while, unconstitutional shutdowns and restrictions prevail while government leaders and health inspectors issue arbitrary orders while also shielding health data from the public, according to people involved. Despite all of their efforts, The Classic Cat received a notice from a health inspector that they will face closure THIS FRIDAY, March 5th.
”We understood the need to protect public safety during a pandemic and like so many restaurant owners, we’ve bent over backwards to be as proactive as possible,” said Donn Berdahl, investor in The Classic Cat. “However, for months our re-opening has been delayed. The longer the delays, the more our expenses pile up with no revenue coming in and our workers facing the prospect of losing their jobs.”
After this latest closure threat, The Classic Cat owners have no choice but to step up efforts to protect their investment as well as the restaurant workers they consider family members, by filing a lawsuit protesting the broad, vague government overreach.
“Patience can only take you so far when you play by the rules, but how are businesses supposed to survive when the rules of the game keep changing?” said Rod Pacheco of Pacheco & Neach PC, the law firm that is representing The Classic Cat. Pacheco is a well-known litigator, former elected Legislator and District Attorney in Southern California
A looming deadline of THIS FRIDAY, March 5 could shut their restaurant doors, leaving dozens of employees out of work and also leaving the city of West Hollywood with reduced tax revenue that the city would normally receive from the restaurant.
“Small business owners, restaurant owners, and workers need immediate protection,” said Pacheco. “We need immediate injunctive relief from an overreaching government that has failed to produce ANY health data to justify its capricious and arbitrary shutdown orders.”
