Kennedy’s Irish Pub receives funds from program

A national effort to give relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a blessing for Kennedy’s Irish Pub in Waterford.

Dave Portnoy, who runs Barstool Sports, has raised more than $22 million in a campaign to reach out to businesses all over the country. Barstool Sports, based in New York, is a digital media company that produces content focused on sports and pop-culture.

“I had no idea about it. My son, Michael, who just graduated from Western last year, has come back to work with the family. He sent an email into Dave Portnoy and he got a reply,” said Erin Meilak, Kennedy’s owner.

To apply they sent in a video featuring Meilak and her mother Cheryl Kennedy, who was the original founder with her husband Bill.

“My son videotaped us sitting here at Kennedy’s. We told a little of the history about it and he submitted it,” Meilak said. “And the next day, Dave Portnoy called me on my way to work. He totally caught me off guard and I’m very, very thankful. A little Irish pub in Waterford? I never expected that to happen.”

Portnoy started The Barstool Fund to help businesses exactly like Kennedy’s. So far he’s raised more than $22 million through corporate and private donations from more than 174,000 supporters. He’s helped 111 businesses so far.

In a video on TheBarstoolFund.com, Portnoy explains: “Once you’re in our program we will pay whatever you need, the necessities you need to get through this thing and give you a fair chance to run your business. These people aren’t going out of business because they aren’t successful or aren’t making money, it’s because they have no other choice. They’ve been dealt a hand that nobody could play.”

Meilak declined to reveal the amount, but said it will all go to her employees. A few have been there for 30-plus years, several for 20-plus years and the newcomers have worked at Kennedy’s for at least 10 years.

“We’re going to make it through. We’ve been here for 49 years, but really hardhit are the employees here,” Meilak said. “They work off tips, they live off tips. When you don’t have indoor dining it affects them tremendously. With us not making any money really it’s hard to help them out. This is our second time around of being closed. It’s hit us all.”

Kennedy’s is open daily for carryout only.

“We have our roots here for 49 years, we’re established, we have a lot of loyal patrons. My big concern is my employees,” Meilak said. “They are our business. They are the people who communicate with the regulars. They are our business, they are who people come in to see.”

Meilak is so thankful to be in Waterford.

“The Waterford Chamber of Commerce they’ve been reaching out to us trying to help us out,” Meilak said. “The Waterford community is such a tightknit community these people care, they really really care. I’m so thankful to be where we’re at.”

Indoor dining in Michigan restaurants was allowed at 50-percent capacity through the summer but was shut down again on Nov. 18. The MDHHS order expires on Friday, but could be extended.

“I know the numbers are not atrocious so I’m hoping it’s coming soon but I’m not foreseeing it,” Meilak said.

While Kennedy’s 50th anniversary is coming in 2022, first on the agenda is St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. For an Irish pub it’s like Christmas. They were closed last year early in the pandemic for the holiday.

“If we’re open with 50-percent capacity, that means a new twist on St. Patrick’s Day. We have to hope for warm weather and try to do as much as we can outside,” Meilak said.

For more information on the fund, see TheBarstoolFund.com.

“Hopefully we can save as many small businesses as humanly possible,” Portnoy said.