- The Great American Hamburger & Pie Co. stand was permanently closed Thursday
- A paraplegic man filed a lawsuit against the owners and landlord in January after encountering a “high threshold” on two visits to the burger joint last year.
- Owners George and Helen Koliavas decided it was best to close
A beloved San Francisco burger joint closed its doors after a wheelchair user sued the restaurant over a “high threshold” that prevented him from entering.
After 38 years in business, Great American Hamburger & Pie Co.’s Post in Richmond, California, said goodbye to its longtime customers Thursday, with the lawsuit being the final blow.
“Two tough years of COVID, high food inflation, and a recent ADA compliance lawsuit have taken their toll on our small family business,” owners George and Helen Koliavas announced of the closing.
George told SFGate that there were discussions about building a wheelchair-accessible ramp, but the cost was too high.
After the Americans with Disabilities Act enforcement lawsuit was filed against the restaurant last year, George and Helen decided it was best to close.
A beloved San Francisco burger joint closed its doors after a wheelchair user sued the restaurant over a “high threshold” that prevented him from entering.
Owners George and Helen Koliavas said goodbye to their former customers Thursday after 38 years in business.
Longtime customers were devastated to learn of the closure, and many flocked to the store to savor their favorite classic burgers and shakes one last time.
A paraplegic man filed a lawsuit against the Koliavas and their owner in January after encountering a “high threshold” on two visits to the burger joint last year.
On both occasions, the threshold prevented his wheelchair from entering the restaurant, prompting him to hire an “accessibility expert” to conduct an informal investigation.
According to the lawsuit, the expert found a lack of wheelchair access throughout the space.
“It’s frustrating and you get to a point where you’re like, ‘You know what? Forget it,'” George said.
He added: “It seems like the chain reaction is that the owner doesn’t want to do anything and that will fall on the small businesses.”
Rising legal fees, high staff costs, and pressure to pay off loans incurred during the COVID pandemic forced the owners to close the business.
Many Richmond residents said they have been visiting the burger joint since they were children.
Longtime customers were devastated to learn of the closure, and many flocked to the store to savor their favorite classic burgers and shakes one last time.
‘It was emotional. When you called, it was one of our best days. “Everyone wants to help,” George said.
‘There is a man who comes once or twice a week and sits with us in the morning. This week I have seen it every day. Those are the things that will stay with me.” he added.
Helen’s parents opened the popular restaurant in 1986 and the Koliavas took over the business in 2010.
Many Richmond residents shared that they have been visiting the burger joint since childhood.
Frank Davis, a long-time customer, said The Richmond Standard: ‘I found out what happened and I had to make a special trip here.’