Lisa Vanderpump’s Emotional Farewell and Financial Struggles
Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, bid a heartfelt goodbye to their beloved restaurant Pump during Vanderpump Rules Season 11. However, in the Season 12 premiere, Lisa shared that she’s still grappling with the loss, especially as she faces financial challenges across all of her restaurants, including SUR.
“I already made the decision to say goodbye to one baby. I’m not gonna do it again,” Lisa said during the December 2 episode. Her emotional words reflect the deep connection she has with her businesses, particularly Pump, which has been a cornerstone of her career.
A Legacy of Memories and Iconic Moments
As fans remember, Lisa and Ken opened Pump with an extravagant party in Season 3. The restaurant became a hub for iconic moments, including the introduction of the now-famous “Pumptini.” It also hosted numerous gay pride celebrations over the years and even saw The Valley’s Tom Schwartz briefly take on the role of bartender.
However, Lisa admitted on the Vanderpump Rules Season 12 premiere that everything changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “West Hollywood was the center of the nightlife in Los Angeles. But since COVID, it never seemed to recover,” she explained.
Financial Challenges and Honest Conversations
Lisa was brutally honest with her staff at SUR about the struggles facing the restaurant industry. She highlighted the rising costs and the reality that many establishments are forced to close. “Restaurant costs are up. Many restaurants close down. Four in the last week have closed down,” she said. “Nobody is surviving this s—t. This is survival of the fittest.”
Lisa Vanderpump during Vanderpump Rules Season 12 Episode 1.
Photo: https://soeara.com
The Closure of Pump and Its Impact
Pump’s closure was announced in May 2023 after a decade in business. Lisa explained the reason for the closure in a confessional interview on Vanderpump Rules Season 11, stating, “It’s bittersweet, but the rent’s going up, and it’s going to be exponentially more expensive.”
Her former landlord later claimed he hadn’t raised the rent, but Lisa dismissed this claim. “Well then, we’ll go back,” she replied with a sarcastic laugh. Another factor in Pump’s closure was Ken’s desire to retire. “If we take it on for another ten years, that means Ken will still be stomping the pavements of West Hollywood when he’ll be in his 80s,” she said.
What to Know About Vanderpump Rules Season 12
Vanderpump Rules is officially back for Season 12. New episodes air Tuesdays at 9/8c on https://soeara.com and stream next day on Peacock.
The new cast of SUR-vers includes friends, frenemies, and lovers such as Venus Binkley, Jason Cohen, Shayne Davis, Chris Hahn, Angelica Jensen, Marcus Johnson, Audrey Lingle, Natalie Maguire, Demy Selem, and Kim Suarez. Fans will have to stay tuned to see how the cast navigates working at Lisa’s iconic West Hollywood eatery, though the Season 12 trailer teases heated confrontations, NSFW drama, and lots of action in the SUR alley.
Expanding the Restaurant Empire
Despite the challenges, Lisa Vanderpump has no plans to slow down her hospitality empire. She recently announced the opening of a second location of her Lake Tahoe restaurant Wolf By Vanderpump in Scottsdale, Arizona. The restaurant is set to open in Winter 2026 in Caesar’s Republic Scottsdale hotel, offering a dramatic atmosphere with opulent design elements, creative cocktails, and a globally inspired menu, along with panoramic views of Scottsdale’s Camelback Mountain.
Lisa also has her sights set on an even bigger move in the new year: Vanderpump Hotel. In an Instagram post, she shared that the new hotel will be located along the Las Vegas strip in Caesars Entertainment’s former Cromwell Vegas space, giving patrons “the ultimate Vanderpump experience.” The hotel’s website shared a timeline that the hotel is “set to dazzle the Las Vegas Strip in early 2026.”
More from Lisa Vanderpump
Fans can explore a full guide to all of Lisa’s restaurants, from Villa Blanca and SUR to Wolf. For more behind-the-scenes features, sign up for https://soeara.comsider and read exclusive content, including insights into the lives of cast members and the inner workings of the show.
