Beloved San Francisco burger joint will close after 40 years after wheelchair user sued over obstacles that stopped him entering, with owners saying they're too poor to build a ramp

A beloved San Francisco burger joint has closed its doors after a wheelchair user sued the restaurant over a 'high threshold' that prevented him from entering.

After 38 years of operation, the Great American Hamburger & Pie Co.'s Post in Richmond, California, bid farewell to its longtime customers on Thursday, with the lawsuit being the final blow.

'Two harsh years of COVID, high food inflation, and a recent ADA compliance lawsuit have taken a toll on our small family business,' owners George and Helen Koliavas announced the closure. 

George told SFGate that there were discussions about constructing a wheelchair-accessible ramp, but the cost was too high.

After the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance lawsuit was filed against the restaurant last year, George and Helen decided that the best moved was to close. 

A beloved San Francisco burger joint has closed its doors after a wheelchair user sued the restaurant over a 'high threshold' that prevented him from entering

Owners George and Helen Koliavas bid farewell to its longtime customers on Thursday after 38 years of operation 

Long time customers were devastated upon hearing about the closure, with many flocking to the store to savor their favorite classic burgers and milkshakes one last time

 A paraplegic man filed suit against the Koliavas and their landlord in January after encountering a 'high threshold' on two visits to the burger joint last year. 

On both occasions, the threshold blocked his wheelchair from entering the restaurant, prompting him to hire an 'accessibility expert' to conduct an informal investigation.

According to the lawsuit, the expert found a lack of wheelchair access throughout the space.

'It's frustrating, and you get to a point where you say, 'You know what, forget it,'' said George.

He added, 'It seems like the chain reaction is that the landlord doesn't want to do anything, and it comes down on the small businesses.'

The mounting legal fees, the high cost of staffing, and the pressure to pay off loans incurred during the COVID pandemic compelled the owners to shut down the business. 

Many Richmond residents said they have been visiting the burger joint since they were kids

Longtime customers were devastated upon hearing about the closure, with many flocking to the store to savor their favorite classic burgers and milkshakes one last time.

'It was an emotional thing. When you called, it was one of our better days. Everyone wants to help,' George said. 

'There's a gentleman who comes once or twice a week and sits with us in the morning. This week, I've seen him every day. Those are the things that are going to stay with me.' he added. 

The popular eatery was opened by Helen's parents in 1986, and the Koliavases took over the business in 2010. 

Many Richmond residents shared that they've been visiting the burger joint since childhood.  

Frank Davis, a longtime customer, told The Richmond Standard: 'I heard about what happened and I had to make a special trip over here.'