Lisa Vanderpump Hits Back at Pump's Former Landlord Over Rent Claims
The Vanderpump Rules restaurateur wants to explain why Pump really closed once and for all.
Lisa Vanderpump is shutting down claims made by Pump's former landlord.
As Vanderpump Rules viewers saw on Season 11, Episode 2, Lisa and Ken Todd made the decision to close the iconic restaurant after 10 years in business because the rent was increasing, making it "exponentially more expensive."
Why did Lisa Vanderpump close Pump?
On Part 1 of the Season 11 reunion, which aired on May 14, host Andy Cohen asked Lisa, "Do you feel like you made the right decision?" and Lisa stood by her choice to close Pump.
"Well, for a restaurant to be in existence for 10 years anyway is a successful restaurant," she responded. "But we just felt it was time to call it. We couldn't make a profit there with the rent increase."
On the extended and uncensored version of Part 1 of the reunion, which is now streaming exclusively on Peacock, Lisa also took a moment to shut down speculation surrounding her reason for closing.
Andy asked Lisa about Pump's former landlord's claims that "he hadn't raised the rent" and wanted to know, "What was your reaction to that?" With a laugh, Lisa quipped, "Well then, we'll go back," and clarified, "That's not true."
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According to Andy, Pump's former space still remains vacant.
"I drove by there the other day, and it's still not rented," he said.
Lisa Vanderpump's new restaurants Wolf and Pinky's
Although the choice to close Pump wasn't easy, Lisa is busy with the other venues in her restaurant empire. In addition to owning SUR, Tom Tom, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, and Vanderpump à Paris, Lisa and Ken opened Wolf in Lake Tahoe in April and will soon open Pinky's in the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel.
“Through our design company, Vanderpump Alain, we are embracing the unique history of Flamingo Las Vegas, and the designs will be reminiscent of a bygone era," Lisa shared in a November 2023 press release. "Caesars has allowed us the creativity to truly delve into the Art Deco style and create something that will encompass the stunning design of that time. The building will extend into a dramatic conservatory that will enhance the façade of the Flamingo on the Las Vegas Strip.”
