J&B’s gets support from Barstool Sports
Milwaukee’s J&B’s Bar & Blue Ribbon Tap Room is one of a few dozen bars across the country to benefit from a fundraiser launched by Barstool Sports.
Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy launched the fund to provide assistance to local bars and restaurants struggling to stay in business through the coronavirus pandemic. It has already raised more than $2.6 million from more than 37,000 supporters.
The bar near Miller Park in the Story Hill neighborhood said in a video nominating J&B’s for the fundraiser that the lack of fans at Brewers games and other events has leveled the business. Yearto-date, the bar was down 60%.
The barstool fundraiser promotes J&B’s as having “Milwaukee’s best chicken strips” and as the “No. 1 preand post-destination for all events at Miller Park.”
Tax-free donations can be made directly to the fund or contribute by purchasing a T-shirt or hoodie at barstool sports.com/the-barstool-fund.
J&B’s isn’t the only Wisconsin bar to make it into Barstool’s fundraiser. The Abbey Bar & Grill in De Pere was also selected to receive funds.
Kerry Counard is feeling humbled, honored and a little better about the family business surviving thanks to a nationwide online fundraiser.
Counard, owner of The Abbey, said it was a bit of a shock when friends, current and former employees, and even his adult children excitedly messaged him that Barstool Sports was posting about The Abbey.
Counard said the support will cover almost half of The Abbey’s monthly payroll.
The Abbey’s shirts sell for $28 and the hoodies for $48. The net proceeds go directly into the fund, which will provide ongoing, monthly support to the bars and restaurants the Barstool Fund highlights. The fund has been set up so that once a business’ request has been funded, a new bar or restaurant is listed.