Piggy’s Cafe gets a boost to help keep legacy alive

After death of owner’s father, Barstool Sports steps in with relief fund

Piggy’s Cafe in Hartford is one of the latest restaurants in the state to receive help from a fund started by Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy to keep small businesses going during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund, created before Christmas with $500,000 from the founder of the sports and pop culture website, has swelled in recent weeks to more than $23 million and has given out hundreds of thousands of dollars to restaurants struggling with COVID-19 restrictions that have slowed business. Portnoy, in a video announcing the fund, spoke of the struggle restaurants are facing amid uncertain help from the government.

Piggy’s Cafe joins several Connecticut restaurants to get support from the fund. In a video to Barstool, owner Joela Malick said the restaurant, at the corner of Laurel and Hawthron streets, was started when her father, “Papa Joe,” went behind his wife’s back and bought the place in 1978. It’s been with the family in the four decades since.

“This has been my father’s pride and joy until the day he died, which was this past February,” Malick said in the video. Malick’s father died from complications related to ALS and COVID-19.

She said her father used to spend time around the clock at the restaurant, so “therefore I’m here 24/7.”

The restaurant, feet from Aetna headquarters, used to be “hustling and bustling” with workers, but with most people not commuting into the city during the pandemic, business has died down. “But I’m sure they will be back,” Malick said in the video.

“We have great customers and wonderful friends that keep this alive, that keep my father’s dream alive,” she said. “I’m trying my best.”

Malick said that she has seven employees right now, though she could get by with three a shift because of COVID-19.

“It’s a difficult time, but I know it’s a difficult time for everyone,” Malick said.

Portnoy called Malick last week to tell her that she would be receiving support.

“We want to help. We want to make sure you keep your father’s legacy alive. So we will be there throughout the pandemic,” Portnoy said in a recording of the call.

“I’m going to cry. I tried not to cry making that video ... wow,” Malick said.

Hartford’s Red Rock Tavern, not far from Piggy’s Cafe, was among the first restaurants to receive support from the fund. Since then, several other Connecticut restaurants have received funds, including N.Y. Pickle Deli in Rocky Hill.