West Hollywood – The tables have turned for Lisa Vanderpump’s gastronomic ventures as her tenacious spirit extends to her restaurants’ fate.
Bucking the recent closure trend, PUMP Restaurant has resurfaced, mere months after it was shuttered.
Back on May 4, Lisa Vanderpump, a familiar face from reality television, had announced the impending closure of her well-known West Hollywood establishment, PUMP. “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce that the lease at Pump Restaurant is expiring, and we will be closing its doors on July 5th, after 10 years of beautiful evenings under our olive trees,” read her statement.
Vanderpump detailed that the impending lease expiration date of July 5, 2023, coupled with an unmanageable rent increase, had compelled the decision. She elaborated, “While we have loved our time operating Pump, to take on another 10-year lease with a huge increase in rent by the landlords, is not something we are ready to commit to.”
Her reluctance was further underlined by her assertion that such rent hikes were unrealistic considering her extensive experience managing more than 37 establishments.
Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, were rumored to be resistant to an annual rent of nearly $1 million, potentially triggering the restaurant’s demise.
Simultaneously, Vanderpump had grand aspirations, notably planning to inaugurate two new restaurants within the expansive confines of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
However, in a quintessential Vanderpump plot twist, PUMP Restaurant has made an unexpected reappearance.
In a surprising move, Bravo insider account @bravoandcocktails_ shared on Instagram, “Pump is back! Next to TomTom! My friend says that half of Tom Tom that was the restaurant will now be Pump and the bar will remain Tom Tom!”
Meanwhile, the Vanderpump Rules fanbase is experiencing a double dose of nostalgia. Billie Lee, a former star of the show, is set to return as the filming gears up for the eleventh season.
Billie Lee’s reappearance follows her previous tenure on the show, during which she stirred controversy. This time, she’s back, reportedly standing as an ally to Tom Sandoval amid the fallout from his affair with Raquel Leviss.
A production insider confirmed Billie’s comeback. “Billie came back to support Tom as he was experiencing some mental health challenges when cameras went up for Season 11,” stated the source.
Reportedly, Billie Lee is already facilitating Tom’s recovery. She has connected him with Dr. Kien Vuu, founder of VuuMD Performance and Longevity, with the intention of bolstering Tom’s self-esteem and countering public backlash.
This was corroborated when Dr. Vuu posted on Instagram, acknowledging the collaboration with Billie Lee and Tom in a recent update. Dr. Vuu specializes in “human optimization and regenerative medicine.”
A secondary source attested to Tom’s improved condition post-session. “Tom is doing great today,” shared the source. “He’s focusing on the positive and even expanding his social circle outside of the cast.”
It has been confirmed that Billie Lee has already participated in filming for the forthcoming season. With these captivating developments, the Vanderpump Rules narrative is set to unfold with renewed vigor and excitement.
