Gulf Shores Pizzeria Closes Amid Political Conflict

A Pizzeria’s Struggle with Politics and Personal Conflict

A small pizzeria in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is facing a difficult decision as it prepares to close its doors after just a few months of operation. L.A. Pizzeria, owned by Brandi and Demetrios Lambidonis, has found itself caught in a political dispute that has turned personal and complicated.

Brandi described the business as “very profitable” and doing “extremely well.” She emphasized that the family did not want to walk away from their investment, but the situation escalated quickly when a campaign sign for the mayoral election was placed in front of the restaurant.

The issue began when the landlord, Angie and David Swiger, wanted to display his wife’s campaign signs outside the pizzeria. The Lambidonis family reached out to other candidates who were opposing the sign, requesting that either all candidates be posted or none at all. They felt it was important to remain neutral and avoid any appearance of bias.

However, according to the owners, David Swiger removed the signs of the opposing candidates and threw them behind the restaurant. In response, the Lambidonis family decided to remove Angie Swiger’s campaign signs to maintain fairness.

This led to a tense confrontation, with David Swiger reportedly telling the family that they would either have to keep the signs up or face the end of their lease. The situation escalated into an ultimatum, with the landlord making it clear that the choice was his way or the highway.

Brandi expressed her frustration, stating, “Business and politics do not mix. They never have and they never will.” She criticized the landlord's authority to dictate who a tenant should associate with, calling it a shame that such power exists.

The conflict came to a head during a city council meeting, where tensions flared between the Lambidonis family and Angie Swiger. A verbal altercation was witnessed and recorded by News 5 and community members. According to Brandi, Swiger pointed at her and her family, shouting accusations of being “shameful and wrong.”

Despite attempts to resolve the issue, the Lambidonis family ultimately decided to end their lease with the Swigers. Even after the couple visited the restaurant to apologize and asked them to stay, the family felt pushed into a corner and made their choice.

Brandi clarified that they were not evicted, but rather forced into a difficult decision. “We made our choice,” she said.

In addition to closing the business, the Lambidonis family is working to donate leftover food to a local food bank to prevent waste. They have also reached out to several attorneys, but have yet to find one willing to take their case due to its politically sensitive nature.

Angie Swiger responded to the situation via email, expressing her belief in the community and its residents. She criticized the situation as a “political low blow” and claimed that the mayor pro temp and the council had used the meeting to “publicly shame and quiet the voice of an opposing mayoral opponent.”

Swiger denied causing the Lambidonis family to leave, stating that the tenant did not lose the lease and was not forced to close the business. She also mentioned that her husband apologized for overreacting and removed her signs. Despite these efforts, the situation remains unresolved.

The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining neutrality in a community where politics can quickly become personal. As the Lambidonis family prepares to move on, the controversy surrounding their pizzeria continues to spark debate and reflection.