Gourmet Bagger Sued by Serial ADA Filer
Donation protected
I’m starting this GoFundMe for my dad, John, the owner and daily operator of The Gourmet Bagger Sandwich Shop in Point Loma for 30 years. If you’ve ever been, there’s a real good chance you’ve had a friendly chat with him. He’s pictured above with my two youngest siblings who also work there (as I did when I was their age).
My dad has recently been hit with a lawsuit by a serial ADA filer. This is an individual who files hundreds, sometimes thousands, of lawsuits against businesses who are not in total compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). More often than not, a serial ADA filer has never even visited the businesses they are suing. It’s an unfortunate and terrible abuse of a set of laws that were intended to empower Americans with disabilities, not regulatory exploitation.
This lawsuit in particular has been filed against The Gourmet Bagger for not having an ADA approved outdoor dining table (there is one inside). This is all happening at a time when outdoor seating is not even allowed due to the pandemic. How that makes any sense, your guess is as good as mine. Sadly, it’s extremely expensive and time-consuming to defend yourself in court, and my dad’s only viable option was to settle outside of court.
Needless to say, this has come at a really bad time for The Gourmet Bagger amidst COVID-19. My dad is doing his best to keep the business afloat and his staff employed without a usable dining room, among other constraints. He’s been making an honest living here for 30 years, and hasn’t taken a profit over the past year. It sickens me that someone is doing this to small businesses, and during a pandemic, no less.
This GoFundMe is intended to raise money for two specific reasons: to help my dad (John) and my uncle (Peter) cover the cost of the ADA lawsuit settlement and a CASp (Certified Access Specialists) to inspect the Gourmet Bagger. ADA law has expanded drastically over the 30 years my dad has been in business, and this inspection would identify any other needed changes to protect against future lawsuits.
Thank you so much for considering donating and supporting my family’s business. And if you haven’t been before, stop by The Gourmet Bagger for a sandwich or salad and say ‘hi’ to my dad!
My dad has recently been hit with a lawsuit by a serial ADA filer. This is an individual who files hundreds, sometimes thousands, of lawsuits against businesses who are not in total compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). More often than not, a serial ADA filer has never even visited the businesses they are suing. It’s an unfortunate and terrible abuse of a set of laws that were intended to empower Americans with disabilities, not regulatory exploitation.
This lawsuit in particular has been filed against The Gourmet Bagger for not having an ADA approved outdoor dining table (there is one inside). This is all happening at a time when outdoor seating is not even allowed due to the pandemic. How that makes any sense, your guess is as good as mine. Sadly, it’s extremely expensive and time-consuming to defend yourself in court, and my dad’s only viable option was to settle outside of court.
Needless to say, this has come at a really bad time for The Gourmet Bagger amidst COVID-19. My dad is doing his best to keep the business afloat and his staff employed without a usable dining room, among other constraints. He’s been making an honest living here for 30 years, and hasn’t taken a profit over the past year. It sickens me that someone is doing this to small businesses, and during a pandemic, no less.
This GoFundMe is intended to raise money for two specific reasons: to help my dad (John) and my uncle (Peter) cover the cost of the ADA lawsuit settlement and a CASp (Certified Access Specialists) to inspect the Gourmet Bagger. ADA law has expanded drastically over the 30 years my dad has been in business, and this inspection would identify any other needed changes to protect against future lawsuits.
Thank you so much for considering donating and supporting my family’s business. And if you haven’t been before, stop by The Gourmet Bagger for a sandwich or salad and say ‘hi’ to my dad!
Organizer and beneficiary
Clint Buchhauser
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Peter Buchhauser
Beneficiary