The Hut Rebuilds Community Ties
The bar is famously a Santa Clara staple. Photo by Amy Suh
This story discusses an incident of sexual assault and may be triggering for some individuals.
Just over two years have passed since Elias Juarez Rodriguez, a former assistant manager of The Hut, pled guilty to a felony violation of sexual assault of a person incapable of consent (PC 261(a)(3)). The restaurant, popular amongst professors, locals and Santa Clara students, began operating under new management following the incident.
The incident surrounded three then-first-year Santa Clara students. The Jane Does were served alcohol while alone in the bar by then-assistant manager Rodriguez, upon which he sexually harassed all three victims and raped one. Rodriguez had a recorded history of sexual harassment and sexual battery, including with employees, while working at the Hut and in previous places of employment. These cases were reported to Wendell Prieto, the former manager and CEO of the Hut, who was also a registered sex offender at all relevant times.
The Hut addressed the management change in an Instagram post in March 2022. While the post did not directly address the incident, it included a list of policy changes to increase safety and responsible service.
“[Managers] Perla and Juan really grabbed the reins on everything and fought tooth and nail to keep this place going and to set themselves apart from the incident,” said current manager Joe Gradillas. “I think they did a really good job of letting people know that those people involved were just shitty people.”
Changes implemented at the Hut made since the incident include: security Wed. through Sat. nights, random ID double checks and a group closing system.
Gradillas also discussed an anonymous whistle-blower system he is developing.
“When people have the ability to speak anonymously, it's a little easier for them to voice concerns or bring up instances that need to be looked into,” he said.
Gradillas emphasized that the new management is working diligently to ensure that the bar is a safe environment with an accountable staff. The goal is to rebuild the bar’s trust and reputation and cultivate its close relationship with the Santa Clara community.
“I think everything is just about following the rules and standards that are put in place by the state and by management,” he said.
The Hut’s restructuring appears to have been successful in separating itself from the incident and regaining the trust of the Santa Clara community. Students have returned to the weekly Saturday morning trek to queue for bottomless mimosas and have started to show out for new events such as Tuesday night trivia.
Community members enjoy food and drink at The Hut. Photo by Amy Suh
“In general, any bar you go to, you need to be aware of your surroundings, cover your drinks and not wander off from your friends,” said Natassja Chhabra, a senior finance major “Since it’s basically all Santa Clara students, you see more familiar faces, which is more comforting than your average bar.”
Chhabra also mentioned that she has noticed some of the policy changes in effect, such as bouncers at the door on busy nights and overall more responsible staff.
“Thinking back a few years ago, the bartenders would offer us free shots and drinks, but from my observations now, this doesn’t seem to be a common occurrence anymore, which is definitely for the best,” said Chhabra.