Comedy Central star Nathan Fielder’s Dumb Starbucks was shut down by the Los Angeles County Health Department on Monday for operating without a health permit, so the businessman fired back at the department while appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” later in the evening.
“What they don’t understand is that, technically, legally speaking, we’re an art gallery and the coffee we’re selling is considered the ‘art,’ so art galleries don’t need health permits,” Fielder, star of comedy docu-series “Nathan for You,” said in an interview with Kimmel (above). “But also, by not having the proper health permits and paying those fees, we’re able to pass on those savings to the customers.”
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Despite the set back, the comedian promised he would be going forward with plans to open up another Dumb Starbucks in Brooklyn to serve the coffee shop’s signature selections, including pastries, muffins and coffee that employees bought on sale at local grocery stores.
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And Fielder issued a stern warning for his biggest competitor, Starbucks, which is “evaluating” how to respond to the art gallery’s use of the company name.
“Starbucks did say some things in the news and the media outlets that weren’t so positive about this. It’s fine. I am operating 100 percent legally using parody law, but I don’t appreciate it,” Fielder said. “And I should say that if they do continue down this road, they risk losing me as a customer.”