Politics
Lisa Vanderpump’s LA bar TomTom rumored to be ‘permanently closed’ but manager insists ‘we will absolutely open’
LISA Vanderpump’s Los Angeles bar, TomTom, will “absolutely open” despite rumors it has shut down, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
Bravo fans have feared that the West Hollywood lounge featured on Vanderpump Rules has locked its doors for good as Google has it marked “permanently closed.”
Lisa Vanderpump’s TomTom bar ‘WILL reopen’ despite rumors its permanently shut[/caption]
The bar – heavily featured on Vanderpump Rules – remains closed due to Covid[/caption]
Despite all of the surrounding eateries and bars in the area reopening months ago, Lisa’s lounge – co-owned by Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval – has not been in business since before the pandemic last year.
As rumors spread it’s closed forever, the bar’s assistant general manager, Richardson Cherry, told The Sun that “absolutely” TomTom will open.
He revealed: “We’re more bar than sit-down restaurant type. Also, our patio isn’t that big.
“When we can accommodate people safely we will open in a couple of weeks or so.”
The longtime staffer and personal friend of Lisa continued: “It’s more so about being safe than profit.
Richardson Cherry has worked with Lisa Vanderpump for years at various business’[/caption]
Richardson has become close to Lisa and her husband, Ken Todd, over the years[/caption]
The Los Angeles resident is the assistant general manager of TomTom[/caption]
“Profit matters but if everyone is sick it’s not good. When we can accommodate more people it will be easier as the inside of TomTom is not super huge.”
Currently, Los Angeles County will allow indoor dining at 25% capacity in addition to outdoor seating.
Although they could legally allow customers back in now, Richardson claims strict Covid precautions are to blame for the delayed opening.
He explained: “None of us knew what was going to happen with Covid so none of us knew when we would open so we waited until the state said it was okay.
“I don’t have an exact date when we will open but I’m anxious, but yes we take Covid seriously.
“Lisa and the whole family is taking it very seriously, but I would love to be open by middle to end of next month.”
Due to TomTom’s tight seating, the bar has hesitated to reopen due to Covid precautions[/caption]
Most of TomTom’s seating is indoors with only a small portion available outside[/caption]
Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz teamed up with Lisa Vanderpump to open the bar[/caption]
A rep for both of the Tom’s also confirmed to The Sun that there is “not a set date” as of now but that “TomTom will be opening again soon.”
In addition to Google alerting customers that TomTom is “permanently closed,” the phone number listed for the hotspot has been disconnected.
The bar & lounge has not posted any public updates since March 2020 – when restaurants in California first began to close due to the pandemic.
Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills alum Lisa, 60, opened up the high-end cocktail bar in 2018 with VPR co-stars turned business partners Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz.
The reality star owns several businesses in the area, including restaurant Pump which just had its grand re-opening on St. Patrick’s Day after being shut down for a year.
Google has listed TomTom as ‘permanently closed’[/caption]
Despite plans to reopen soon, TomTom has continued to keep its doors shut[/caption]
TomTom’s adjacent bar, The Garden Bar, has not yet opened either[/caption]
The Sun can exclusively confirm Lisa and her husband, Ken Todd, arrived at Pump on Wednesday around 7pm PT in an SUV full of friends.
Wearing a large green hat, she exclaimed that she was “so excited to be home” while gushing she felt “ecstatic” to have the business open again.
One staffer exclusively revealed that “most if not all” of the Pump staffers had already been vaccinated as those in the culinary field were able to get the shot earlier this month.
“The owners are taking Covid very seriously,” the informant revealed of Lisa and Ken.
According to the employee, the restauranteurs spent “at least a few thousand” to add a large extended deck on the front sidewalk to offer more outdoor patio seating.
Lisa also owns West Hollywood hotspot, Pump, which is feet away from TomTom[/caption]
The restauranteur arrived at the grand reopening of Pump in a large green hat this week[/caption]
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The garden eatery has been closed for months following a tax dispute, according to records obtained by The Sun.
It’s unclear what exactly caused the California Franchise Tax Board to suspend Pump or how much money the company allegedly owes.
However, Lisa responded on Twitter and admitted her “taxes were delayed” because “everybody was working from home and [the] restaurant was closed” – though the surrounding eateries in Pump’s area reopened last year.
