Trujillo promises to fight controversial sports bar
Opponents of a proposed Ojos Locos sports bar protested outside City Hall on Tuesday. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)
DOWNEY — The arrival of Ojos Locos sports bar received further pushback from the community this week, culminating in a protest and a clear message from Downey Councilmember Mario Trujillo: “You’re not welcome here.”
Ojos Locos, anticipated to take over the former Denny’s property on Firestone Boulevard, has drawn the ire of residents over safety concerns and the provocative attire of its waitresses.
This caught the attention of City Council members, most of which have been open about their displeasure with the incoming business.
None have been more outspoken than Trujillo, who on Tuesday said that Ojos Locos should “take their tax dollars elsewhere.”
“You try to keep your daughter off the pole,” said Trujillo. “I’m offended that this corporation wants to come here because I know what they do in Texas.”
Trujillo later told the Downey Patriot that he was “just not comfortable doing business with an organization that objectifies women like that.”
Officials, however, remain with their hands effectively tied legally, as while they can impose mandates and regulations for businesses to adhere to, they cannot prevent a business from establishing itself in the city.
The City Council did take some action to curtail concerns on Tuesday, voting to regulate the attire of waiters and waitresses city-wide.
Under the new ordinance, food handlers are not able to expose any portion of the midriff, any portion of the chest three inches below the clavicle, and/or any portion of the leg less than three inches below the buttocks.
Violators – which could include the establishment and the employee themselves - are subject to fines of $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 for any following offenses.
It’s a move that may draw legal action from Ojos Locos, which has said that the lingerie images seen on the chain’s other restaurant social media platforms is not what they intended to bring to California.
However, the proposed uniform – likened to that of a cheerleader – would still not meet the new criteria set by the city. According to officials, Ojos Locos has already vocalized a willingness to sue Downey over the matter.
These comments echoed statements Trujillo made to protestors outside city hall Tuesday, where he said that while he was committed to fighting the arrival of Ojos Locos, he needed them to understand that “we’re going to end up in litigation.”
When asked if Downey was headed to court over the matter, Trujillo clarified, saying “it’s premature at this point.”
“It’s going to come down to whether we enforce the new regulation against this business,” said Trujillo. “If we start enforcing this regulation against them, that’s the point where they may sue us.
“Based on what the attorneys have told us, it’s premature to say that we’re headed for court, but it’s clear that we’re drawing the line.”
Councilman Mario Trujillo speaks with protestors outside City Hall on Tuesday. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)
The city has also been specific about the kinds of events or entertainment it will allow at Ojos Locos, allowing for only a DJ and PPV showings.
In the meantime, Trujillo says that he plans to rally constituents.
“My next course of action is to organize the community, and hopefully through community outcry get a message to the owners that they’re not welcome here, that we don’t want them here,” said Trujillo.
Residents have already started to band together in a unified showing of disapproval of the business, having held two protests, including outside of this week’s council meeting.
Along with the attire issue, many have raised the alarm over alleged criminal activity that other Ojos Locos establishments have attracted, as well as the restaurant’s proximity to Downey schools, churches, and elderly homes.
“For some it’s a moral issue, and for some it’s a criminal issue. For many of us, it’s both,” said Jennifer Alvarez, a longtime resident and teacher in the city.
Alvarez said her biggest concern was with the effect on children.
“Our kids are always over there; anybody who’s been at the dollar tree after school or CVS [knows] our kids rush there for candy and snacks,” said Alvarez. “They’re going to be mixing with drunk patrons coming and going, and that’s not fair to them.”
Among the crowd was planning commissioner Horacio Ortiz, who was the sole vote against the project in the planning commission’s decision.
Ortiz said he stood behind his vote.
“I just feel like it’s right next to a high school, right next to our kids and that should not be near our kids,” said Ortiz. “I think that we need to prioritize our family values, and that’s the core of what Downey is.”
He added that it was “not safe for our community.”