Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Tinhorn Flats Gets Evicted From Its Burbank Digs
The exterior of Tinhorn Flats, with a chainlink fence around it, in Burbank.
(
A Martinez/LAist
)
It's unhappy trails for Burbank's notorious Old West-themed saloon. On a day when most restaurants and bars in Los Angeles County are reopening without pandemic restrictions, Tinhorn Flats looks like it may be shutting down for good.
During the pandemic, the business has repeatedly defied health and safety orders. Tinhorn Flats continued to offer on-site dining this past winter when COVID-19 cases were skyrocketing, leading to a series of standoffs between the proprietors and local officials.
The city of Burbank has sued Tinhorn Flats, shut off its electricity, padlocked its doors, nailed plywood across its front entrance and surrounded the building with a chainlink fence. L.A. County officials have cited the joint, fined it and revoked its health permit.
(We have a timeline of the Tinhorn Flats saga here.)
Support for LAist comes from
Still, owner Baret Lepejian and his son Lucas, who runs the place, have remained defiant. Lucas has been arrested three times for violating directives to keep Tinhorn Flats closed.
Baret Lepejian, who has been living in Thailand since 2019, according to Outlook, recently told the New Yorker, "They’re trying to take my business away. Honestly, if the rules came straight from God, I wouldn't do it." Not everyone in the Lepejian family agrees with this stance — including Isabelle Lepejian, who is Baret's ex-wife and Lucas's mother.
In a press release issued this morning, the city of Burbank announced, "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department today turned over possession of the Tinhorn Flats' property and building, which sits at the corner of Magnolia Blvd. and Naomi St., to the property owner, Isabelle Lepejian. It's the final step in the eviction process she initiated against Tinhorn Flats."
Isabelle Lepejian was granted a writ of possession, allowing her to enter and occupy the property.
The eviction is a separate legal action from the recent temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction issued by the Los Angeles County Superior Court in the City’s civil suit against Tinhorn Flats for continuing to operate after revocation of its public health permit and Conditional Use Permit.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist