Lynn's Paradise Cafe Has Closed

Lynn's Paradise Cafe has closed after 22 years per reports on WAVE 3 and WDRB 41. According to both sites, Lynn's owner, Lynn Winters, released the following statement:

As of January 11, 2013 Lynn's Paradise Café has closed its doors.

"Thank you to all of our loyal customers and faithful employees for making it possible to run a 22-year business.

"It's been a great run and we've had a ton of fun. The time has come to move on to new creative ventures," Winter's statement read.

On Jan. 2, 2013, Lynn's started requiring all food servers to carry $100 cash for each shift to tip out support staff, a possible violation of Kentucky law. At least one waitress, Leila DiFazio, claimed she was fired for failing to do so. DiFazio then shared her story on WLKY's Facebook Fan Page. Yesterday, Kentucky Jobs With Justice: A Campaign for Worker's Rights started an awareness campaign about Lynn's practices, that drew the attention of WAVE 3 which aired segments about the dispute on its 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts.

While Winter's statement today gave no specific reason for the closing, comments she made to Eater when news of this dispute first broke (before Kentucky Jobs With Justice got involved) may have been prophetic: "This kind of protest against us ironically hurts every single person at Lynn's," Winter said. "They can make soundbites that I can't defend. Customers don't come in, and I'll have to cut back. Not only does it hurt me, it hurts the 85 people who work for me."

Known for its quirky ambiance, previously Lynn's Paradise Cafe had gained national media attention from The Oprah Winfrey Show, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal according to its website. Commenters on Eater, mostly anonymous ones from people claiming to have worked at the restaurant, however, painted a less than flattering picture of the establishment.

[Photo: Facebook/Lynn's Paradise Cafe]

·Life in Paradise [Louisville Magazine]
·Lynn's Paradise Cafe holds annual New Year's Pajama Party [WAVE 3]