Candidate Bustamante feels opposing tugs from allies.

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante could be caught in a bothersome tug-of-war between two allies.

A longtime labor advocate, the Democratic candidate for governor has "also won the financial support of Indian casino interests, some of which have been fending off organizing efforts by the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union.

The unions last week gave tepid endorsement to Bustamante but will focus most of their effort--and money--on opposing the recall.

The largest of the Indian contributions have come from non-unionized tribes such as the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians, which donated $35,000 during Bustamante's last campaign, and is holding off HERE efforts to organize a casino in Temecula. The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has given him $27,500 during his two campaigns for lieutenant governor.

The union has also been trying to organize the casino operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians near Palm Springs. It has come to terms with the Rumsey Rancheria and the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, though the only tribe to sign a collective bargaining agreement was the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in 1999.

In response to union criticisms for taking Indian casino money, Bustamante in recent years has stepped up his support of labor-related causes. During the 2002 election, he campaigned in Santa Monica for the living wage ordinance--a ballot initiative strongly supported by unions, including the HERE--that lost at the ballot box.

"Sure, he (Bustamante) has close relationships within labor and Indian country," said Jack Gribbon, the Western regional political director for HERE. "But as it relates to this recall election it's not part of the equation."

Hollywood Lingerie

Heidi Fleiss, the former Beverly Hills madam to the stars, is opening a store at 6624 Hollywood Blvd. called Madam Hollywood.

The store, scheduled to open next month, will sell her own label of clothing and high-end lingerie--lines for men and women, her books and videos and other Fleiss branded products.

Previously, Fleiss operated Heidi Wear stores in Pasadena and on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, but she closed them in 1996 upon being sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion and attempted pandering. Fleiss' trial received national attention for her role in running a high-priced prostitution ring that allegedly served Hollywood's rich and famous.

While Fleiss has continued to sell Heidi Wear and other items through her Web site, she said it's been her goal to open another store. "I loved the energy from having all these young people around all the time working in my stores," she said.

The shop is yards away from the entrance to the flagship Frederick's of Hollywood store and within a one block radius there are three other adult apparel retailers: Foreplay, Playmates and Roma Fashion.

Fleiss she said her store would be different from the others. "Already Hollywood Boulevard is the ultimate place to shop for strippers and hookers," she said. "But they need higher end stuff."

Going Valley

The owners of Kate Mantilini are opening a second location of the Beverly Hills upscale diner in the Warner Center.

The new restaurant will open in the former Houston's location at 5921 Owensmouth Ave. on Sept. 8. The restaurant will have a more limited menu with lower prices, according to Adam Lewis, a co-owner of the new restaurant and son of founders Marilyn and Harry Lewis. "All the items people know us for will be on the menu," he said. "The prices on the Westside in general are higher than those anywhere else in L.A. so our price point in at the new restaurant will be like other restaurants of our type in the Valley."

The Lewis' founded the Hamburger Hamlet, which they sold in 1988 to a New York investment firm that took the company public in 1991.

Retail Review

Crate & Barrel is closing its Century City location and opening up a new 37,000-square foot, two-story structure in Beverly Hills. The new location, which officially opens Sept. 18, will be the company's largest location in L.A. County ... While the Cahuenga Corridor is known for its nighttime bars and clubs, two coffee houses are betting residents want more daytime hangouts. Karma Coffee and Cahuenga Coffee Shop and Jazz Bar are opening cafes diagonally across the intersection of Cahuenga Boulevard and Selma Avenue from each other. Hollywood boosters say the cafes point to the area's continued revitalization.

Staff reporter Andy Fixmer can be reached by phone at [phone], ext. 263, or by e-mail at [e-mail].