Farewell Beverly Hills Cafe: What led to the termination of local restaurant

BY NINA RAMIREZ

Beverly Hills Cafe was a restaurant along Flamingo Road in Cooper City that was visited by many. While some citizens adored the menu and meals they offered, others loved it for the decor and general atmosphere. Once customers entered, they were greeted by a hostess and seated at a table, where they could then look at the windows to see the view of the plaza during their time there.

Their menu varied from burgers to salads and had multiple options for each. The restaurant was filled with abstract paintings of people with some featuring people broken up into shapes to catch the eyes of the customers.

However, it seems that this particular restaurant and its journey have come to an end. It was shut down permanently earlier this month which shocked many and saddened others. There were lots of questions from Cooper City residents and they gave lots of speculation as to why they shut down.

At first, people began to suspect and theorize that the restaurant had failed a health inspection. This was due to an article published on Local 10 News that put a description of all the unsanitary conditions found in the location along with the whereabouts of the dirty objects found. This was the start of a downward spiral for the restaurant as the article had an extremely negative impact on business.

“Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings on [the] bottom shelf of [the] storage rack where dry storage is being stored in [the] food prep area.”

Local 10 News investigative reporter Jeff Weinsier

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings on [the] bottom shelf of [the] storage rack where dry storage is being stored in [the] food prep area,” Local 10 News investigative reporter Jeff Weinsier said. “Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed three live roaches are shelved directly over [the] prep table next to three compartment [the] sink.”

Afterwards, the article received several comments from citizens who were shocked and disgusted to read about their findings at the restaurant. Once the article was published and claimed that they overall found ten health code violations, fewer customers began to arrive over the course of time which had an effect on the restaurant and all of its workers.

Ultimately, the decision was made to permanently close the restaurant on November 8 and it later shut down, angering and frustrating the staff members. Numerous staff and customers alike have expressed their disdain and grief over the eatery closing and have defended the restaurant, claiming that it was in good condition and that they never saw anything out of the ordinary.

“I never saw anything unusual at the restaurant; I had a great time there,” CCHS senior and Beverly Hills Cafe waitress Brooke Movic said. “When I heard we were closing, I was heartbroken.”

“When I heard we were closing, I was heartbroken.”

CCHS senior and Beverly Hills Cafe waitress Brooke Movic

However, the true reason for the shutdown appears to be due to the higher rent the plaza asked for that location. After that article was published, criticizing them, it caused a lack of customers which resulted in the restaurant being unable to pay for the rent. Due to their inability to pay what was asked, they had to close the business.

Ultimately, the restaurant was closed due to the combined factors of an article insulting their conditions and an increased rent they could not afford. Other staff feel that the article was overall inflated and that the restaurant didn’t deserve to be shut down.

“It was a shame to hear we got shut down over an exaggerated article,” Beverly Hills Cafe hostess Heather Clemmensen said. “It’s sad what one person’s words can do to change a population’s views. I think our problem was really the plaza.”

No matter what the reason or whether the article is 100% accurate in its claims, the restaurant has already closed down for good, leaving Cooper City without the Beverly Hills Cafe.

Photo courtesy of Herve Andrieu on Google Maps