Business & Tech

City Cracks Down On Napas Tapas

The restaurant's business license has been expired for several years, according to the city.

A Palm Desert restaurant and bar will not be able to stay open past midnight unless it hires a security guard.

In a 5-0 vote, the Palm Desert City Council on Thursday agreed that the business, which has not had a license for several years, could stay open until midnight during the week and until 2 a.m. on the weekends, but had to hire a security guard, change its occupancy and keep the area clean.

, located at 73900 El Paseo, is also not allowed to put on outdoor entertainment under a new conditional use permit.

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The original owners were issued a conditional use permit in 1996 for use as a European wine bar, and the current owners took over the location in 2006, apparently unaware of the terms of a conditional use permit, according to Lauri Aylaian, the city's director of community development.

The owners asked the Planning Commission to expand its hours in the CUP in October to come into compliance.

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In June, the ABC restricted the business' liquor license for selling alcohol to a minor.

Jeanne Akin, owner of , said she has been in business in Palm Desert for over 36 years, but there has been a lot of confrontation between her and the owners of Napas Tapas.

"I have very upscale clientele," Akin said, adding that she has worked hard to build up her business.

Ramon Vega, who said he took over the restaurant three months ago, said he is trying to address the complaints of neighbors, and that his business has gone down since he has reduced the hours.


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