Restaurant Near Levi's Stadium May Lose Out On Super Bowl Business
SANTA CLARA (KPIX 5) – When Levi's Stadium got Super Bowl 50, David Ebrahimi thought his restaurant was perfectly placed to cash in, practically punting distance from stadium gates. But he may be too close for his own good.
"Our staff, our deliveries and customers, they cannot come," Ebrahimi, the owner of David's Restaruant told KPIX 5.
Although his restaurant, bar and conference facility are technically outside the Department of Homeland Security's 300 foot perimeter, the only roads leading here are not, and they will be shut down in the days leading up to the game.
That means fresh ingredients, staff and even customers could be blocked on potentially his biggest week ever.
"I just don't know. What's my alternative? But I don't want to shut down. We were looking forward to this for the last 30 years," Ebrahimi.
As Super Bowl 50 draws closer, Ebrahimi's relationship with Super Bowl planners and the City of Santa Clara has grown more distant.
The Super Bowl host committee told KPIX 5 that it's been working with Ebrahimi for three years to find a role for his restaurant.
"In 2013, the NFL and David's entered into a binding agreement to hold the venue for NFL use over Super Bowl weekend. This June, David's announced plans to hold a separate event on Super Bowl Sunday, in violation of the 2013 agreement," the committee said in a statement.
Ebrahimi admitted that he did want to organize his own special event, but on Super Bowl Sunday for ticketed fans.
"Because we have a commitment to our clientele and customers who are looking forward to coming in here and then go to the game," he said.