Lisa Vanderpump, the renowned entrepreneur and television personality, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share an emotional farewell post dedicated to her beloved restaurant, Pump. The 62-year-old celebrity, who had previously announced the closure of the establishment in May, expressed gratitude and nostalgia as she reminisced about the restaurant’s decade-long journey.
Vanderpump, known for her role on Bravo TV, posted a series of photos and video footage capturing the final soiree held at Pump lounge. The images showcased Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, who co-owned the establishment, raising glasses of rosé in a toast, symbolizing the end of an era.
In a heartfelt caption addressed to her three million followers on the app, Vanderpump wrote, “End of an era, but the start of something new.” She expressed her gratitude to Pump Restaurant for the remarkable memories, the decade-long existence of “Pumptinis,” and the exceptional staff. Vanderpump also hinted at her ongoing endeavors, stating, “Now back to work on @wolfbyvanderpump Lake Tahoe!”
Creating further anticipation, a new Instagram account dedicated to Vanderpump’s forthcoming restaurant venture in Lake Tahoe was unveiled, with a bio indicating its inclusion in the Lisa Vanderpump & Ken Todd Collection in collaboration with Caesars Entertainment. The account quickly garnered over 10,000 followers eager to witness the new establishment’s debut.
Vanderpump’s farewell post has already garnered immense support from her loyal fan base, amassing over 63,000 likes. In the accompanying images, Vanderpump appeared stylish in a low-cut black dress, accentuated by a vibrant pink cardigan draped over her shoulders. She added a coordinating hot pink wide-brimmed hat with a floral accent, showcasing her signature elegance.
Fans expressed their gratitude and admiration in the comments section, bidding a fond farewell to Pump and acknowledging Vanderpump’s influential legacy. One fan wrote, “Goodbye Pump. Thank you for everything. I know Ken & Lisa’s Treehouse Restaurant will uphold your legacy.” Another fan fondly recalled the memorable experiences at Pump, stating, “PUMP was honestly great, the food, the drinks… Thank you for the experience.”
The history of Pump Restaurant traces back to its opening in West Hollywood, California, in 2014.
Pump quickly became a hotspot for locals and celebrities alike, renowned for its elegant ambiance, exquisite Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, and elaborate floral decor. The restaurant’s enchanting outdoor patio, adorned with olive trees and lush greenery, contributed to its distinctive charm and popularity.
As one of the key locations featured on the reality TV series “Vanderpump Rules,” Pump gained further visibility and a dedicated fan base. The show, which centered around Vanderpump’s life and the drama unfolding among the restaurant’s staff, brought additional attention to the establishment.
Over the course of its 10-year tenure, Pump hosted numerous high-profile events, including celebrity parties and charity fundraisers. It became known not only for its delectable food and refreshing cocktails but also as a place to see and be seen in the heart of West Hollywood.
In early 2021, Vanderpump announced that Pump Restaurant would be closing its doors. The decision was primarily attributed to escalating rent costs, which rendered the continuation of operations financially unfeasible. Despite the closure, Vanderpump expressed gratitude to the loyal patrons, exceptional staff, and the unforgettable memories created during Pump’s tenure.
Following Pump’s closure, Vanderpump unveiled plans for future restaurant ventures, including the announcement of a new restaurant in Lake Tahoe called Wolf by Vanderpump, set to open in the near future. This venture showcases Vanderpump’s continued dedication to the culinary industry and her passion for creating extraordinary dining experiences.
While the physical presence of Pump Restaurant may have come to an end, its legacy lives on as an iconic destination that left an indelible mark on West Hollywood’s dining scene. Vanderpump’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence ensure that her contributions to the hospitality industry will continue to flourish in new and exciting ways.
Notable stars from Vanderpump’s popular reality show, Vanderpump Rules, also gathered at Pump for a final celebration on Sunday evening. Joined by cast members including Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, and Scheana Shay, Vanderpump commemorated the venue’s last night in operation.
Vanderpump’s announcement in May regarding Pump’s closure was met with a mixture of emotions from fans. The decision was primarily influenced by rent hikes, with Vanderpump and her husband unable to commit to a new lease due to exorbitant costs. The yearly rent was reported to reach nearly $1 million, a figure deemed unsustainable by the couple.
Despite bidding farewell to Pump, Vanderpump and her husband are actively planning the launch of two new restaurants in Las Vegas in collaboration with Caesars Entertainment, signaling an exciting future for their Vanderpump establishments.
I am not familiar with the backend issues facing many of the local businesses, but I hope something replaces pump as soon as possible . I hate seeing so many empty commercial spaces on Santa Monica Blvd.
The locals will be happy to see it go, it’s the tourists that miss it. Bye Felicia. When Jerry’s Deli closed it was an end of an era. When the French Market closed it was an end of an era. When The Factory closed it was an end of an era. When Pump closes it’s just another restaurant closing to make way for something else. Bring back Tacos Tacos.
Having only gone there once, maybe I missed the full picture, but my experience at Pump was more reminiscent of a tourist trap than local/celebrity “hotspot”. It seemed to be geared towards out of town middle aged women who were either fans of the show or looking to experience a safe/sanitized/curated WeHo trip with “the girls”. None the less, I find no joy in seeing local jobs and commerce leave.
Was the article written by her publicist? It’s almost absurdly deferential and gushy.
Yes, I’d like the last 3 minutes of my life back reading this dribble. At least label it as “Commentary”
Shocking that she couldn’t make a go of it after several years of free rent on prime public sidewalk. All three of Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurants have enjoyed this welfare for far too long. Take back the sidewalks.
Seems the owner might be Elie Samaha which tells its own story.🙄
Her lease was up, she would not pay double on a new 10 year lease. No issue with her business.
Personally, I will not miss Pump. I went there 2 times since it opened. Both times the service was adequate at best and the food arrived to the table cold. The so-called fabulous garden patio was overcrowded and the tables were too small to actually eat in comfort. Just a rich person’s vanity project. The tragedy is yet another business closing due to outrageous rents. This is West HOLLYWOOD…NOT East BEVERLY HILLS.
But we are quickly becoming East Beverly Hills.
Love her or hate her she took an un leasable corner that was basically a parking lot and a corner building and turned it into a garden paradise. With instant hedges and old growth olives and a design style unique to anything else close by. Sad to think the owner will squeeze her out only to open his own restaurant there. It might sound mean but I hope she is able to strip every single design and garden element she brought to that corner.. including the trees !! Anyone have a picture of what that corner looked like ? Someone… Read more »
I bet David Cooley is eyeing that location to expand his bar empire.After all, the old Pump is next door to The Chapel.He will not appreciate a vacant storefront with the bad graffiti next to his most successful creation.
Unless the current owner, Elie Samaha, is willing to sell, Cooley won’t open anything here. He will not rent space.
Even if he did, it would have to be a separate entity with no direct connection to The Chapel or Abbey. The public alleyway prevents unifying the properties.
The boarded up windows are unsightly enough. The added BLM graffiti is unnecessary simply makes things worse. Hoping some decent art display will be put up soon.
That’s an old picture. It hasn’t looked like that since 2020.
PUMP was the first successful long-term establishment in that location. Her garden dining area was one of the best outdoor spots in Los Angeles. The stretch between San Vicente and Santa Monica Blvd – which was once a very diverse “downtown village” is now nothing but bars and clubs. Hopefully something as equally successful will fill the spot. It’s hard to have a business here in West Hollywood – between the sky high rents, highest minimum wage and very high sales tax, it’s getting way to costly for the average person to dine out (or grocery shop for that matter).… Read more »
Still lots of great businesses besides bars and clubs on that stretch!
While I hate seeing any business fail and certainly do not want the blight of an empty storefront at such an important corner, I will not miss the “era” of PUMP, which encapsulated our country’s desperation for fame and intellectual debilitation through unscripted TV and social media influencers. Yeah, I’m a middle-aged curmudgeon, but lets not pretend this era she speaks of is of any true importance to West Hollywood.
when a lease is up and a business and landlord cannot come to new terms it does not mean the business failed. there is no for lease sign as the owner of the property took back the premises to put in one of his many restaurants.
Larry, any insider info on what is going to go in the spot?
Many people dined there that had no clue who owned it. They just liked the atmosphere, the food and the decent price point.
Baby It is very important West Hollywood is she beautified that corner that sat empty for years……
Hopefully something normal will replace it.A business that all residents would use. But I won’t hold my breath.