The culinary landscape of East Bay is about to lose one of its beloved eateries, as Lima Restaurant in Concord has announced it will shut its doors for good on December 31. The Peruvian spot, known for its flavorful dishes and vibrant atmosphere, could not bounce back from a discrimination lawsuit spurred by its 'Ladies Night' promotions and the financial strain from rising operation costs.
Owner John Marquez spoke out about the difficult decision to cease operations in Concord's Todos Santos Plaza, citing the legal challenges that have considerably burdened the business's finances. "The lawsuit has cost his restaurant tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees," said Marquez, pointing to the driving factor behind the closure. The 'Ladies Night' offered half-priced drinks and wine to women for a limited time every week until it incited legal action on the grounds of discrimination, KRON4 reported.
The announcement was made through the restaurant's social media channels, where the owners took the occasion to express their gratitude toward their patrons. The note highlighted the sense of community the restaurant cultivated since its inception and expressed pride in the mutual bond formed with customers over the years.
Despite the looming closure, Lima encourages patrons to revel in the Peruvian flavors one last time. Interested customers can make reservations directly on Yelp or call the restaurant for larger groups. The farewell post on Lima Restaurant in Concord's Instagram leaves a bittersweet sentiment, "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." This end-of-year goodbye will mark the end of a culinary chapter for Lima's patrons and the Concord dining scene.
