Posted on 02/13/2018 2:26:53 PM PST by Leaning Right
This lady I know opened up a sandwich shop recently. She sunk her life savings into it. The location she picked wasn't bad. It was in a strip mall that had a pizza parlor, but no other food establishment.
Here's the problem. Shortly after she opened, an inspector came in and told her she must remove all her customer tables! It seems there's some law that says new restaurants without a handicapped accessible restroom cannot have tables. So she removed her tables, and her business has dropped off dramatically.
But who wants to eat in a restaurant without any tables? I guess she should have researched this first, but this is breaking my heart. She works hard, and has a good product. People used to eat there. But she's going broke. She's now selling her plasma at a blood bank to try to keep the place going.
Any FR restaurateur or lawyer see a way out for her?
My sympathy. She needs an attorney to give her advice on the legalities. This seems far fetched to me that there is such a law.
Yeah, that right there.
When did she open this place ?
Seems kinda foolish, but Americans with Disabilities acts are a great thing.
I had to get Braille signs in my office, but the building management paid for the handicap bathroom - completely. It was their responsibility
Health codes are state and county laws. Our health inspector was county.
If we didn’t have the restroom, it would be an order desk only.
Did you hear about the prostitute with leprosy?
Her business was falling off.
Did she buy the shop or is she leasing it? If it’s a lease then she should go to the owner/property manager and ask that they bring it up to code or she will walk.
On a side note to all others out there with big plans, please check with your building department before spending any money. They should offer a pre-plan meeting that will let you know what is required prior to making a huge investment and then left holding the bag.
She has only 1 option, NO Restrooms for Customers.
Close it off, put the tables back in immediately.
She opened a restaurant without checking the local laws first?
This seems far fetched to me that there is such a law.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, which has more stupid and costly requirements you could ever imagine.
> Did she buy the shop or is she leasing it? If it’s a lease then she should go to the owner/property manager and ask that they bring it up to code or she will walk. <
It’s a lease. And your advice is good. I’ll tell her. Thanks!
I dont see the correlation with Handi-Cap Rest rooms and tables.
I am willing to say there is away around this.
What about counter type set ups along the walls.
If the pizza place is next door maybe she can make a deal with them to temporarily use their handicap restroom until she can put one in and find out if the inspector will let her do this until she can put one in.
Also, she really needs a 36 inch or 42 inch wide door to the bathroom and a railing on the wall next to the toilet
The good news is, she saved at least $500.00 by not consulting a lawyer in advance.
Many locales have laws requiring men’s and women’s restrooms, handicapped accessible, for any restaurant with sit down seating.
Good point, maybe that is why (other than sanitary reasons) so many shops with food post, No public RR
She HAS GOT TO, come up with the money to get the fix done. If she has at least 20% of the total of that cost invested, she should be able to get the cash.
Has she room to put tables outside? If in say..CA or AZ? Whats the rule for that I wonder.
Then, she could have a stand up counter in the store. Serve roast beef sandwiches and things like that. They used to have one in Chicago that served them and with the sauce and all and I tell you that place was humming all the time.
“I guess she should have researched this first, but this is breaking my heart.”
Why is it breaking your heart when it’s her business unless you have some $$ invested in this. Before I opened my business I diligently researched every angle, law, by law and stupid restrictions before opening for business. My work neighbor has a coffee shop and had to simply place a handicap bar on the wall of her men’s room and presto..handicap “accessible”. My building is also handicap accessible as per law.
I don’t see the correlation with Handi-Cap Rest rooms and tables. <
That’s perhaps the craziest part about the whole thing. I hope that some lawyer reads this thread, and comments on that.
First thing to do - survive Put the tables back in. Tell customers she open for sit down business.
Find an attorney, but one who will not bill crazy hours. Call her local councilman or state representative for help. Tell them she’s being harassed by bureaucrats, and for now, she doesn’t have the money for handicapped bathroom, but will work on it. Tell them extension is needed for a period (1 year?)
I know a couple guys who work as city inspectors. They generally want as little trouble as possible. Tell them too “I’m working on it.” If they let her slide, no one above them cares.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.