The Abridged version:
- The developer of a five-story building at 1600 Broadway in Sacramento is evaluating a partnership with chef Chris Barnum-Dann after learning of sexual misconduct allegations against the chef.
- Barnum-Dann, the owner of Michelin-starred Localis and Betty Wine Bar + Bistro, announced plans last month to open three new businesses at the Tower Broadway site.
- Former employees of Barnum-Dann recently detailed to Abridged allegations that the chef groped staff and propositioned them for sex.
The developer behind a project at 16th Street and Broadway in Sacramento is temporarily pausing to evaluate a partnership with chef Chris Barnum-Dann, following recent reports of alleged misconduct.
The news arrived after Abridged reported detailed, on-the-record accounts of alleged sexual misconduct from former employees of Barnum-Dann’s restaurants Localis and Betty Wine Bar + Bistro.
The former employees described instances from 2018 to 2020 in which Barnum-Dann allegedly groped staff in the kitchen, propositioned them for sex and humiliated them in front of coworkers. Former employees also accused Barnum-Dann of withholding tips.
The former employees decided to come forward with the allegations after Barnum-Dann announced plans to expand his business footprint in Sacramento.
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In March, Barnum-Dann said he would open three new businesses at the planned Tower Broadway project at 1600 Broadway in Sacramento. The businesses include a tapas and pintxos bar, a high-end wine shop and a market. The businesses are slated to fill out the bottom floor of the five-story, mixed-use apartment building that is currently under construction.
The lead developer behind the Tower Broadway project, Jon Gianulias, said the developers are “taking a pause” after learning about the allegations against Barnum-Dann over the weekend. Gianulias is a principal commercial broker with CORE Commercial Real Estate.
“I don’t know what’s real and what’s someone who just doesn’t like his success,” Gianulias said. “We’re just taking it slow and seeing if there’s anything there that’s a real serious issue legally.”
Barnum-Dann denied allegations
When reached by phone for comment, Barnum-Dann said he did not have any response to the temporary pause on the Tower Broadway project. Barnum-Dann has denied the allegations of sexual harassment and accusations about compensation issues.
In a written statement to Abridged on Saturday, Barnum-Dann admitted to a “few instances” where an employee confronted him about feeling uncomfortable, and he said he dealt with the incidents with “genuine concern and correction.” He added, “I admit making mistakes and apologize for contributing to a culture in our industry that is unhealthy and needs change.”
Details about Barnum-Dann’s plans to expand Betty to a second location in East Sacramento, at 3815 J St., were not immediately available.
Felicia Alvarez is a reporter at Abridged covering accountability. She’s called Sacramento home since 2015 and has reported on government, health care and breaking news topics for both local and national news outlets.