Key takeaways:
– Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix held a soft opening for their sandwich shop ‘Something About Her.’
– Lisa Vanderpump expressed her disagreement with the process, advocating to iron out the operation hitches before inviting people.
– Several set-up delays, including city permit issues, were revealed for the restaurant’s delayed start.
Lisa Vanderpump, famous restaurateur and reality show personality, publicly shared her viewpoint on Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix’s recent soft opening of their sandwich shop, Something About Her. The soft opening, intended for family and friends, took place just days prior to the scheduled public grand opening on May 22, 2024.
Vanderpump’s Concerns
Despite her absence from the event due to out-of-town commitments, Vanderpump conveyed her opinion on the timing of the opening. In a conversation with Us Weekly on May 20, Vanderpump explained that it might have been beneficial for Maloney and Madix to ensure their establishment was operating smoothly before entertaining friends.
She stressed the importance of taking a few weeks to rectify any potential issues. Vanderpump stated, “We’ll have a soft opening in a restaurant, but we won’t really invite people until, you know, you are kind of two or three weeks in.”
Delays Mark the Start of Something About Her
Maloney and Madix have worked on the sandwich shop since 2021, and their journey was not without its fair share of setbacks. During the Vanderpump Rules panel at BravoCon in November 2023, Maloney disclosed the various challenges they encountered, including permit issues owing to street alterations where the shop was positioned.
January 2024 still saw these permit issues unresolved. The pressure of various inspections and hitches, such as needing a new water heater, mounted. Vanderpump felt these issues should have been resolved earlier.
Trademark Disagreements
Besides permit issues, the duo faced compatibility problems with their former consultant, chef Penny Davidi. The pair had a disagreement over the partnership in the business and the Something about Her trademark, leading them to sever ties with Davidi. Vanderpump aired her views during the Vanderpump Rules season 11 reunion, stating she wasn’t sure what went wrong but it was now a legal matter.
Star-studded Soft Opening
Despite Vanderpump’s absence from the soft opening, Maloney and Madix celebrated the preliminary launch with many other friends. Members from the Vanderpump Rules cast, Summer House, and The Valley graced the event held on May 16 and 17. Guest and TV personality Andy Cohen praised the new sandwich shop on his Instagram story.
Despite the concerns and critiques, Maloney and Madix’s sandwich shop, Something About Her, is set to have its public debut on May 22, 2024, at 10 a.m., and it undoubtedly promises exciting prospects.