Susannah Moore
What started out as a normal work day for Jesse Maas turned into a day he will never forget.
Maas was sitting in his car after visiting a DC restaurant he operates, when a Facetime call popped up on his phone. On the other end of the line was internet personality and founder of Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy, telling him that the Fish Market, for which Maas is Director of Operations, had been selected to receive help from The Barstool Fund.
“When you see that number you kind of know what’s happening but at the same time, you’re still really excited, and ... your adrenalin just goes from your sitting in your car to your heart is bursting,” Maas described. “Just to be a huge fan of Dave and Barstool Sports, which I really am, it was just cool to see his face.”
The Facetime call was recorded and posted to Portnoy’s Twitter account on Jan. 29 where it has received a staggering 329,000 views.
Portnoy established The Barstool Fund to provide assistance to small, family-owned restaurants around the country that are struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the fund has raised $36 million and helped 271 businesses.
Restaurants can submit an application to The Barstool Fund demonstrating their need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If they are considered, they will be sent an email asking for backup numbers and paperwork and are told to be prepared to answer a Facetime call in case they are selected.
Maas, with help from creative director Kieran Randall, recorded a video to submit to The Barstool Fund knowing that the chance of being selected was slim. “If things don’t change for us here at The Fish Market, closing is just going to be inevitable,” said Maas in the submission.
The Fish Market Restaurant has been an Old Town institution since it opened in 1976. Its prominent location at the end of King Street (105 King St.) has made it a popular location for locals and tourists alike. Inside, the Anchor Bar has been a site where generations of Alexandrians have met up with friends, caught a game or grabbed a drink and a bite to eat. The restaurant typically hosts large events during the summer. All of that was lost during the pandemic.
When asked what plans the restaurant has for the funds, managing director Noe Landini admitted that it’s tough to make plans in the uncertain environment the pandemic has created. “I’d love to have a plan for the funds but really it’s to help us scoot along until we actually plan to have a normal restaurant and bar atmosphere again and welcome back all our regulars and people who visit us when they come into town.”
Landini explained what a relief it has been to receive the funds from Barstool. “The difference between Barstool and the Federal Government stimulus is Barstool is like, ‘You guys know how to run your business, you guys know how you need to spend your money to survive so here, do what you got to do to get through this.’ The stimulus is different. They’re like, ‘You can only spend it on this and if you don’t spend it this way, and this percentage, it will become a loan.’” That doesn’t work when every restaurant and bar is so different, said Landini.
“I don’t know if I was as excited about receiving the fund as I was about watching Jesse be victorious and getting it all done, and coordinating with Kieran, and getting out there and doing the video and telling the Fish Market story,” Landini said.
That excitement is evident by the huge banner hanging outside of the restaurant that reads: “Well done Jesse & congratulations! Thank you Barstool Fund!” After all, in the restaurant industry, it’s all about the people. Whether it’s employees, visitors or regulars, there is something about restaurants and bars that truly brings everyone together – something that has been missing since the pandemic started almost a year ago. Now there is hope that the Fish Market will remain one of those special places, ready to welcome us back when we are able to gather once more.
