In a detailed statement shared with SanDiegoVille, Tender Hooligan co-owner Mara Lucio says she is pursuing legal action for multiple alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, including sexual harassment toward employees and customers, harassment directed at her personally, retaliatory behavior after whistleblowing, misuse of company funds, and ongoing interference with business operations. Lucio says she has secured documentation supporting her claims, including restraining orders and attorney correspondence.
Lucio, one of the three majority owners and also an alleged W-2 employee of the company, says that after she came forward with concerns, she became the direct target of retaliation. According to Lucio, with support from the other majority owners, the partner in question was formally removed from their position - but the conflict did not end there. Lucio claims the removed partner, formerly the company’s CTO, had structured Tender Hooligan’s operational systems in a way that blocked ownership from accessing key assets, including business accounts, the building itself, and security camera systems.
Despite formal notice of their removal and repeated requests through counsel, Lucio says the partner has refused to provide contact information for his legal representation and has continued to access the business without authorization, even reopening and operating the location alongside their significant other. The venue is now facing eviction, Lucio says, due to what she describes as mismanagement by the removed partner while they continues to occupy and run the business.
“With the support of my fellow partners, we were able to remove him from his position,” Lucio claimed in an email to SanDiegoVille. “However… he has reopened our location without authorization and is currently operating it alongside his wife, and we are now facing eviction due to his inability to run our business.”
Lucio says the remaining owners have collectively decided to dissolve the company, but she is choosing to speak publicly out of frustration with failed internal remedies - and to highlight the challenges women in business often face when reporting misconduct.
“I feel compelled to publicly share what has been happening,” she said. “Accountability matters, and when traditional avenues fail, sometimes public awareness becomes necessary.”
Tender Hooligan debuted in August 2024 on Chula Vista’s Third Avenue, blending a record store, café, sake bar, and Japanese listening-lounge aesthetic. The concept drew attention for its design inspirations - from Eero Saarinen to Euro-mod and post-punk influences - and for its mission to create an all-ages cultural hub in South Bay.
SanDiegoVille has attempted to reach out to all parties involved for comment. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
“With the support of my fellow partners, we were able to remove him from his position,” Lucio claimed in an email to SanDiegoVille. “However… he has reopened our location without authorization and is currently operating it alongside his wife, and we are now facing eviction due to his inability to run our business.”
Lucio says the remaining owners have collectively decided to dissolve the company, but she is choosing to speak publicly out of frustration with failed internal remedies - and to highlight the challenges women in business often face when reporting misconduct.
“I feel compelled to publicly share what has been happening,” she said. “Accountability matters, and when traditional avenues fail, sometimes public awareness becomes necessary.”
Tender Hooligan debuted in August 2024 on Chula Vista’s Third Avenue, blending a record store, café, sake bar, and Japanese listening-lounge aesthetic. The concept drew attention for its design inspirations - from Eero Saarinen to Euro-mod and post-punk influences - and for its mission to create an all-ages cultural hub in South Bay.
SanDiegoVille has attempted to reach out to all parties involved for comment. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Originally published on December 1, 2025.
