It’s the end of an era for fans of Lisa Vanderpump’s Pump restaurant in West Hollywood. The iconic eatery, famous for its beautiful evenings under the olive trees, is closing its doors after 10 years due to an astronomical rent increase.
With the rent reportedly reaching nearly $1 million per year, the reality star and her husband, Ken Todd, have decided not to renew the lease, calling it “untenable” for their business.
Her landlord had a different story. “Lisa’s comments regarding the rent for Pump are not accurate. We did not raise the rent and in fact have been nothing but supportive as they tried to catch up on lease obligations including forgiving some rent during Covid,” a statement read.
But the Pump closure is just the latest blow for Vanderpump, who also had to close down her Beverly Hills restaurant, Villa Blanca, in 2020 due to similar rent increase issues. However, the couple is not letting this setback stop them, as they already have plans to open two new restaurants at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
While Vanderpump’s restaurant empire is taking a hit, her Bravo show Vanderpump Rules is still going strong. The reality series, which follows the lives of SUR Restaurant and Lounge employees, is currently airing its tenth season on Wednesdays at 9 pm ET. However, the show has not been without its share of drama, as recent headlines have been dominated by a cheating scandal involving two of the show’s stars, Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss.
Despite the drama, fans of Vanderpump and her restaurant empire will surely miss Pump’s beautiful ambiance and delicious food. But with the reality star’s tenacity and business savvy, we’re sure this is not the last we’ll see of her in the restaurant world.
