SHERMAN OAKS : Embattled Cafe Owner Blames Politics for Woes
The owner of the embattled Insomnia Cafe in Sherman Oaks blames politics for the troubles his controversial coffee house is having with city zoning officials.
Monday, a city Planning Department official ruled that the cafe, at 13718 Ventura Blvd., was a public nuisance and should close its doors by midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and by 10 p.m. on other nights or face having its permit to operate revoked.
The ruling by city Zoning Administrator James Crisp is “an obvious attempt to put us out of business,” said Insomnia owner John Dunn. The cafe, which serves no alcoholic beverages, had been open to 4 a.m. on weekends and 3 a.m. weeknights.
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