Blue Orleans to receive financial assistance from The Barstool Fund

We hope you have a box of tissues handy. Yesterday, Cherita Adams, a co-owner of Blue Orleans, received a call from Dave Portnoy, the founder + president of Barstool Sports. Dave started something called The Barstool Fund when COVID-19 hit as a way to help struggling small businesses stay afloat. When it launched on Dec. 17, 2020 the company donated $500k to the fund and encouraged others to donate as well. Since then, they have raised over $30 million.

How The Barstool Fund works:

1. Business owners who need help submit an application.
2. They also submit a video of their business and explain who they are/what they do.
3. To qualify for help, businesses need to have been continuing to pay their employees.
4. Once chosen, the owner receives a call and is told they will receive financial assistance month-to-month until they are able to survive on their own or when the pandemic is put behind us.

And yeah, Cherita + Mike Adams of Blue Orleans got the call. In the video, which was posted to Twitter yesterday just before noon, Cherita is beside herself with excitement and gratitude. She said to Dave, “I’m so grateful. I’m blown away. I feel a boost of confidence and hope.”

She also mentioned that they want to use some money to upgrade their patio and add tables, chairs + some heaters for the colder days.

About Blue Orleans:

• It’s a family + minority-owned business on the Southside of Chattanooga.
• They’ve been operating from that space since 2007 — almost 14 years.
• They left New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina.
• Their menu is full of New Orleans cuisine, and seafood gumbo is one of their signature dishes.
• They were featured on Restaurant Impossible in December 2019, right before the pandemic hit.

And if you’re wondering how you can help, you can donate to The Barstool Fund here or grab some food from this Chattanooga establishment and show them some support.