Tom Schwartz Asked Tom Sandoval to ‘Step Away’ from Their Bar During the Height of Scandoval
On Tuesday's episode of 'Vanderpump Rules,' Tom Schwartz said his business partners told Tom Sandoval that "he’s not welcome” at Schwartz & Sandy's
The drinks at Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz’s bar isn’t the only thing on the rocks.
On Tuesday’s episode of Vanderpump Rules, the Schwartz & Sandy's co-owners cleared up the status of their friendship and Sandoval’s involvement in their Los Angeles bar, or lack thereof.
While chatting with Lisa Vanderpump, at the closing party of her restaurant, Pump, Schwartz was candid about how Scandoval has affected the bar he co-owns with Sandoval.
“We really got it bad. We all had to clean up Tom’s mess,” Schwartz admitted to the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star. “He has severely tainted the brand name. My partners don’t want to work with him.”
He said that because of the backlash the business faced after Sandoval’s affair with former costar Rachel "Raquel" Leviss, “we did ask Sandoval to step away from Schwartz & Sandy’s.”
Schwartz explained, “My partners told Tom that if he comes in they’re gonna close the doors and that he’s not welcome there.”
Schwartz said that if he were Sandoval, he would be using this time to reflect on how he “jeopardized the business,” rather than “fully check[ing] out.”
But Vanderpump, who co-owns TomTom with the men, thinks this conversation needs to be between them. “I just think it’s time for you to re-evaluate your position on everything,” she advised. “Before you make any decisions, tell him how you feel," she said.
Vanderpump explained in a confessional that she thinks it’s “unfair” that Schwartz is blaming Sandoval for their bar’s issues. “I don’t think Sandoval was thinking, ‘Oh, I wonder if the takings at Schwartz & Sandy’s will go down because I’m shagging my partner’s best friend,’” she said.
Later in the episode, Schwartz and Sandoval reunite after the musician left Los Angeles to film Fox’s competition show, Special Forces. But Schwartz quickly got into talking about his grievances with his business partner.
“You’ve become almost like a mythological creature, like a cryptid,” Schwartz said, adding that he would rather have been filming in New Zealand, where Sandoval just returned from, than dealing with what was going on at Schwartz & Sandy’s.
“I know there was collateral damage,” Sandoval said. “I’m really sorry, Schwartz. I can feel that you’re angry with me."
He went on to explain that he toured with his band following the scandal out of financial necessity. Sandoval said ex Ariana Madix hadn’t “paid any of the bills for like f—ing eight months.”
Schwartz reemphasized what he said to Vanderpump earlier in the episode, explaining that he wished Sandoval would have said, “Hey guys, can I hire a publicist to help out? I just wanna let you know I’m so f—ing sorry.”
Clearly frustrated, Sandoval said there was nothing he could do because their business partners told him not to come to the bar. “I think it would actually help for me to go in there. But, see, look, I can’t,” he said.
In April 2023, one month after the scandal broke, Schwartz spoke about their businesses on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. He explained that the early days were "a little rough" on their eateries.
"There was a moment where people were like, vandalizing our spot. And it's way out of line. I get it but vandalism is too far," said Schwartz. "Take a breather — go outside, and I mean this in the least patronizing way ever — but go outside, and take three deep breaths."
Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
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