S. Philly restaurant owner accused of violating Disabilities Act

Federal prosecutors have sued a South Philadelphia restaurant owner, accusing him of violating the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, alleges that John Longacre repeatedly failed to respond to prosecutors' requests about accessibility at his South Philadelphia Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St. It says the Tap Room's front entrance and restrooms, among other things, are not readily accessible to people with disabilities.

Longacre and his companies, which include South Philadelphia Tap Room and LPMG Management, are named as defendants.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia said this was the first suit to be brought as a result of its review last year of ADA compliance of 25 of the most popular restaurants in Philadelphia.

"The purpose of the compliance review was to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to area restaurants," U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger said in a news release. "Such an initiative is important in a city like Philadelphia that is widely known for its vibrant restaurant scene."

Longacre, a developer who also owns the American Sardine Bar in Point Breeze, could not be reached. Messages were left for him at the South Philadelphia Tap Room and LPMG.

ADA requires that restaurants, stores, and other places of "public accommodation" offer equal access to people who are blind, deaf, use wheelchairs, or are otherwise disabled, adding ramps or other design features if necessary, unless a major change would result in an undue burden.

The lawsuit said that Longacre and his companies repeatedly failed to respond to correspondence about the restaurant's accessibility, which was sent six times, including being hand-delivered twice.

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