A popular South Nashville bar is temporarily shut down after city officials stepped in with a Stop Work order, just days after two of its customers were killed in a hit-and-run outside the business.
Metro Codes issued the order against LINQ Social Kitchen on Thursday, citing allegations that the bar had been doing construction without a permit and operating beyond its allowed capacity.
The closure comes less than a week after a deadly crash on Sunday night claimed the lives of Yulonda Parham and her boyfriend. Metro Police said the couple was struck while walking along Lafayette Street after leaving the bar that evening.
Parham’s aunt, Angela Scales, says the family is still in shock and wants the business held accountable.
“They need to just shut it down and let it go,” Scales said. “It’s a shame that she had to lose her life for this to even play a part today, but thank Yulonda that something is now going to be done, even though it’s a little bit too late.”
Following the crash, the bar released a statement pledging to add new safety measures, including having security escort customers to their vehicles, placing blockades near the entrance, and limiting parking in certain areas around the property.
On Thursday, the business also addressed the temporary closure directly:
“We are taking this seriously and working through the process as quickly as possible. We don’t have a firm reopen date yet, but we will update you as soon as we do. We appreciate your patience and loyalty.”
For Parham’s family, the closure offers little comfort while the driver responsible for the crash remains at large. Metro Nashville Police said fatal crash investigators are actively pursuing leads.
“Every single day is going to leave it in our mind when justice is just gonna be served,” Scales said. “We’re pleading with this young man. I’m not mad at him. Nobody is angry at him, because I know people make mistakes, but we got to be held accountable for our actions.”
Metro Codes has scheduled a reinspection for later this month. If the violations are not corrected by then, officials say additional legal steps could follow.