The owner of Good Luck Chinese Food Takeout in Philadelphia has been fined so many times she says she has been forced to close her restaurant.
Peking Inn has also received $2,000 in fines under the same ordinance.
CBS Philadelphia reports both were fined under a regulation that doesn’t allow restaurants in residential areas to open past 11 p.m.
Philadelphia Councilperson David Oh thinks the ordinance is being enforced selectively against Chinese restaurants.
“Since 2005, Chinese takeout restaurants have been unfairly and unconstitutionally forced to close at 11 p.m. while other businesses remain open,” Oh said on NBC Philadelphia. “Many Chinese takeout restaurants have been fined $2,000 simply for being open after 11 p.m.”
Other restaurants that have opened after 11 have not been fined, according to Oh, including a pizzeria right next door to the Peking Inn. He’s planning a rally today to protest selective enforcement of the ordinance at City Hall.
Philadelphia Police say they will not issue any more citations while the City Council tries to rework the law.
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