This petition is in favor of a new restaurant owned & operated by owners of The Diplomat (Monrovia) & The Grill House (La Verne) coming to Duarte. Please support by attending the Planning Commission meeting on Monday, August 20th @ 7PM (Duarte City Hall). Some back story below:

As some of you may know, my dad bought a property (1525 E Huntington Dr) back in the 80s. Recently, it has operated as a Mediterranean restaurant. After my dad passed, it was brought to my family's attention that the then-current restaurant/tenant (The Village) created numerous code violations and disrespected the neighbors and the community. However, the new restaurant owners have already spent a significant amount of time and money while undergoing the planning process with the City of Duarte over the past 6 months. The new tenants are going to bring the location fully up to code and completely remodel the place -- adding value to the community and solving our headache for the past few years.

Unfortunately, the neighboring Days Inn (owned by Victor and Monika Patel) is completely opposed to this project and has started a petition for their own benefit. I understand their reluctance to accept a new Mediterranean restaurant as they were abused by the old one, but I carefully chose the new restaurant owners, despite threats from the previous tenant. However, it seems clear by the false information given in the Patels' petition that they are only out to keep our property vacant. My mom, who is a Special Education teacher at Andres Duarte, relies on the income of this rental property.

Yes, this will be a restaurant seeking indoor music, the privilege to serve alcohol, hookah on the large outdoor patio, and belly dancers. However, unlike the opposing petition states, business operation will begin to wind down at 12AM (finishing by 1AM) and belly dancing will be limited to two 20-minute shows at 8PM & 10PM. Additionally, outdoor TVs will be muted with background music only. This is far from the "night club" or "sports bar" the Patels are trying to portray this as. The main concern was originally noise but the Patels' refused to accept the new restaurant's willingness to build a sound wall between the two properties. They are now claiming hookah smoke is their concern. While I can certainly understand the concern of second-hand smoke, I don't believe THEIR concern is genuine. Additionally, the smoking area is dedicated to a much smaller area of the patio than the previous restaurant.

Please support a new fine dining establishment with tasteful entertainment coming to the great City of Duarte by attending the City Planning Commission on Monday, August 20th @ 7:00 PM! Meeting will be at City Hall.

And please sign this petition.

Humbly,

Suki Thind