Friend of the Treehouse, Peter Duke, introduced me to this story and it is blood-boiling, yet awesome.
A young man named Lucas Lepejian is in a battle with Burbank authorities who are trying to run him out of business. Lucas is the 20-year-old son of Baret Lepejian the proprietor of a long-standing western-themed restaurant called Tinhorn Flats; a well known place to dine in Burbank, California.
Local authorities have attempted to shut down Tinhorn Flats repeatedly. Each time Lucas defies the orders and reopens.
Lucas has been arrested three times in defiance of the ridiculous COVID shutdown.
The issue now is personal, the authorities are intent on destroying his business… Lucas, and a small battalion of supporters, remain defiant.
TIMELINE & DETAILS: Tinhorn Flats is the oldest bar in Burbank. In March of 2020 they shut down in compliance with state guidelines. They reopened in November 2020, and when the second lockdown was announced their defiance began.
Burbank authorities first cited and fined Tinhorn Flats. Lucas refused to pay and stayed open. Burbank authorities cut their utilities. Lucas brought in generators and stayed open. Burbank authorities Red tagged his restaurant and locked the doors. Lucas cut the locks and reopened. Burbank authorities boarded up the doors and ‘red tagged’ again as unsafe. Lucas sawed off the boards and reopened his business. Burbank police then arrested Lucas. Lucas made bail and was released.
Regular protests then began to support Lucas. Burbank authorities came back and replaced the boards (thicker w/ security nails). Lucas sawed off those boards and reopened business. Burbank police then arrested Lucas the second time. Lucas made bail and was released. Burbank authorities again replaced the boards on the doors and added sand bags; (police later announced that anyone moving a sandbag would be arrested). Lucas removed the sandbags. Lucas was arrested, made bail and was released.
Today the city of Burbank installed fences around the property…. the battle continues.
Lucas and Baret Lepejian are being represented by attorney Mark Geragos [SEE HERE].
MSM Story HERE
Diana West Covers Story Here
Daily News Covers Story Here
** GoFundMe to Support Lucas Lepejian HERE
Diana West puts it well:
“As anyone can see from the Tinhorn Flats’ Instagram page, the restaurant supports freedom, capitalism and President Trump, and reviles tyranny, socialism and Governor Newsom. No wonder they are in the crosshairs — but no wonder they are in the fight!
If you can’t show up, you can support the Tinhorn Flats Legal Defense Fund here.”