Utah bar with ‘No Zionists Allowed’ policy claims lease is being terminated

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — The owner of a Salt Lake City bar that made headlines for its "No Zionists Allowed" policy claims their lease is being terminated.

Michael Valentine, the owner of the bar Weathered Waves, believes the owners of the Gateway Mall are forcing him out for his political views.

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In 2023, Valentine was in the mayoral race for Salt Lake City but lost to incumbent Mayor Erin Mendenhall. In March of 2024, his bar Weathered Waves posted on social media that there were "No Zionists Allowed" in the bar.

That policy led to backlash from the United Jewish Federation of Utah and an investigation into possible discrimination from the Attorney General's Office.

Though that investigation found no discrimination, the Attorney General's Office warned the business that enforcement of the policy could be an issue in the future.

Valentine told ABC4.com that he believes it could be why his lease is being terminated and accuses his landlord of treating his business unfairly.

"That story went viral. We are picked up all over the world about banning Zionists and being one of the first successful businesses and bars in America to do so, and I think they don't want that notoriety because people have come here from California," Valentine said. "They've come here from all around the country already to visit us."

ABC4.com has reached out to Vestar, the company that owns the Gateway Mall, but was told the company was unable to comment on ongoing litigation.

As far as we've learned, this isn't referring to any specific lawsuit filed by either party, though Valentine and Vestar could be going to court over the dispute and the rent payments tied up here.