A California Mexican restaurant chain has suddenly closed after being exposed for violating child labor laws and “retaliating” against a lactating worker.
C Casa — a beloved taqueria with locations in Napa, Emeryville and San Ramon — announced it has closed its doors for good this weekend.
“It is with both gratitude and heavy hearts that we announce that C Casa has permanently closed its doors,” the restaurant’s team and owner Catherine Bergen wrote in a post. statement.
“For the past 15 years, you have been part of our journey, sharing meals, laughter and memories. We are deeply grateful for your support, loyalty and love for what we have created together.”
This announcement came just over a week after the US Department of Labor (DOL) The company was fined more than $48,000 for “reckless violations of child labor laws” and lost wages.
The violations were discovered at the C Casa in Napa, located within the well-known Oxbow Public Market.
“Casa Restaurant and Bar Napa’s practices put children at risk and created an unacceptable barrier to women’s fair participation in the workforce,” said Donald Hines of the DOL wrote in a press release dated December 26, 2024.
Investigation showed that C Casa allowed employees aged 14 and over to work outside permitted hours on school days.
C Casa taquerias in Napa, Emeryville and San Ramon have been closed due to child labor violations
The DOL discovered violation at the C Casa in Napa, located within the well-known Oxbow Public Market
Catherine Bergen (center) said she apologized for the company’s missteps but said the DOL exaggerated the truth
The young staff members also operated “hazardous equipment,” according to the DOL.
Investigators also found that “the restaurant failed to provide a nurse with the appropriate space and time to express breast milk during the workday.”
The lactating worker was allegedly “harassed and retaliated against” by her boss, who reduced her work schedule and earning potential, the DOL said.
Bergen responded to the DOL’s allegations, saying she has acknowledged and addressed the company’s missteps.
But she claimed the DOL made “misleading statements” about the Napa restaurant.
She wrote to the San Francisco Chronicle: ‘While we respect the importance of compliance in the workplace, we do not believe these fines are appropriate or reflective of the facts.
“The Department has not ‘recovered’ anything to date, and it is both unfair and damaging to suggest otherwise.”
Bergen said in the late December statement that her company will be “challenged.” [the DOL] through the legal process.”
The local chain had three C Casa locations. The first restaurant opened in 2010 at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa
C Casa took pride in its fresh ingredients and was praised by customers over the years
Accusing the DOL of “one-sided narration,” she told the San Francisco Chronicle that the young employees referenced in the investigation were the children of longtime employees.
The owner added that she apologized to the nurse and offered her a private lactation room.
On Saturday, Oxbow Public Market management learned that C Casa has closed and will be leaving the market for good.
Real estate manager Gabe Carlin told us SFGate: ‘C CASA has been a fixture at the Oxbow Public Market since 2010 and we are very sad to see them go.’