Voltaire Beach House in San Diego's Ocean Beach has closed amid accusations that ownership has failed to pay wages to its staff.
Voltaire Beach House is a Nantucket-inspired, open-air bar and restaurant that first opened in Ocean Beach in January 2017. The concept was initially founded by restaurateur David Schiffman and other investors, who also have or had ownership interests in other San Diego establishments, including Double Deuce, Rabbit Hole and Whiskey Girl. Initially, the owners planned to expand the business by opening a bowling alley in the nearly 5,000-square-foot adjacent property, but that fell through.
Public records show that Voltaire Beach House was sold last in January 2023 to a new ownership group comprising Michael Saulpaw, Richard Borba, Jeremiah Archie, and Albert Leonard. Borba is also an owner of Gaslamp Tavern and its adjacent off-track betting pub, Paddock on 5th, both located in downtown San Diego.
A sign posted on the wall of Voltaire Beach House indicates that the bar and restaurant are closed because the staff has not been paid for a month. Employees have taken to social media to allege that timely payment of wages has been an ongoing issue at the establishment.
Under California employment and wage laws, employers are required to pay employees their earned wages on time. The California Labor Code mandates that employees must be paid at least twice a month on regularly scheduled paydays. Failure to do so can result in substantial penalties for the employer, including fines, interest on unpaid wages, and potential lawsuits.
California law also stipulates that if an employee is terminated or quits, they must receive their final paycheck immediately or within a specific period, depending on the circumstances. In this situation, if the allegations are proven true, the owners of Voltaire Beach House could face legal action and be required to compensate employees for unpaid wages and any penalties assessed by the state. Employees affected by wage violations can file claims with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) to recover unpaid wages and seek penalties against employers.
There is no word on whether Voltaire Beach House intends to reopen at 4934 Voltaire Street in San Diego's Ocean Beach. For more information, visit voltairebeachhouse.com.
