Contra Costa Restaurant Closing After Ladies Night Lawsuit, Owner Says

CONCORD, CA — A Concord restaurant is set to close next week and is citing a discrimination lawsuit over its ladies night promotion as the reason it’s going out of business.

Lima will close Dec. 31, according to a social media post from the Peruvian restaurant.

“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 post said. “We are deeply grateful to our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years.”

John Marquez, Lima’s chef and owner, told KRON the lawsuit cost his business tens of thousands of dollars and stemmed from a weekly three-hour ladies night promotion during which drinks and wine were half-price for women. Marquez told KRON his family believes the restaurant was targeted by people trying to take advantage of state equity laws.