SAN DIEGO — The Crest Cafe has been part of the Hillcrest dining scene for almost four decades. Like many other restaurants, they have had some difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s stay-at-home order but this week they had an answer to their prayers.
General Manager Enrique Medina received a facetime call from the founder of Barstool Sports telling him the Crest Cafe was chosen to receive bail-out money from the Barstool Fund and a lot of it, $15,000 a month for at least three months.
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, the digital media company out of New York has already raised more than $25 million to help struggling businesses stay afloat through the Barstool Fund. Portnoy started it with $500,000 in December and it quickly grew using crowdfunding for donations.
"You're the exact type of business we're looking for; 38-years, family-run, was it your uncle who started it?" Portnoy said during the surprise facetime.
Businesses can apply for assistance through Barstool Sports for the fund with needs such as payroll, rent or tax payments as long as they have continued to pay their employees throughout the pandemic.
Fearing he might have to close, Enrique reached out to the Barstool fund just a week ago.
"It's been very tough. We've been here 38 years. We have a good following of regulars in the community but it's coming to the point where it's not as much as we need to continue,” Enrique said.
Enrique was emotional in that call, and in his initial plea. "It would mean the world, a wonderful surprise for my dad. All I've ever wanted to do is make him proud," he said.
Enrique said he now sees a light at the end of the tunnel.
"People back to work, it allows me to give more hours for the ones I have here already, get caught up with my utilities, my suppliers, my rent,” Enrique said.
One of the best parts about this story is that Enrique received the call on his dad's birthday, a gift they were able to share.