LA HABRA : Restaurant Owner Ends Fight for Music

After a yearlong battle to reopen his restaurant and operate it with live entertainment, Jose Carillo gave up last week, withdrawing his request to be allowed to have mariachis perform there.

Just last month, the City Council had denied Carillo an entertainment permit, which he sought so that he could have bands play dance music at the La Habra Boulevard restaurant, which has been closed for a year. But Carillo returned last week with a more modest request, asking for permission to have the unamplified music of mariachis.

When the council indicated it was still opposed, Carillo dropped the request and said he would reopen the restaurant anyway.

Council members said residents led them to their decision.

Residents two years ago had complained about noise, loitering, littering, public urination, graffiti and inadequate parking at the restaurant, Casa Carillo. This year they renewed their opposition, presenting the council with a petition signed by 143 neighbors, urging the city to deny Carillo the entertainment permit.

The restaurant, which had an entertainment permit two years ago, lost it last year because of residents’ complaints that the music there was too loud. Carillo shut the restaurant when he lost the permit, saying that without the music the eatery would not make money.

At a meeting in January, council members told Carillo that they would not hesitate to grant an entertainment permit if he would hire musicians that do not require amplification, such as mariachis.

But last Thursday, Councilman William D. Mahoney told Carillo that a restaurant did not need music to be successful. “If you want to run a restaurant, run a restaurant,” he said. Besides, “I don’t like (mariachi) music.”

Now, Carillo said he will only play recorded, background music and will hire two security guards.