Fifteen retailers that sit along Charles and Centre streets in Mt. Vernon were casualties of last week’s riots.
In an effort to help the neighborhood bounce back, The Historic Charles Street Association has teamed up with area restaurants to host a happy hour fundraiser tonight.
From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., local haunts Ware House 518, Mick O’Sheas Irish Pub, and Midtown BBQ & Brew will be collecting a suggested $5 donation from guests, while featuring special happy hour deals to raise funds.
“It’s been really wonderful to see everyone come together and look out for each other,” says David Niehenki, owner of Mick O’Shea’s, which suffered a shattered window due to the rioting on the night of April 27. “I came in at 7:30 on Tuesday morning and there were people already outside with brooms and dustpans ready to help clean up.”
A percentage of the night’s food and drink sales, along with the donations made at the three participating eateries, will be divided amongst the affected retailers including Annapurna Grocery & Gifts, Café Poupon, Lumbini Restaurant, Brown’s Arcade, Gallery Grill, Cozy Corner, Ted’s Musician Shop, and Trinacria Café.
Community members are encouraged to stop by any of the restaurants in the area for happy hour and dinner service, but featured deals will specifically include $3 beers, $5 glasses of wine, and $6 mixed drinks at Ware House; $5 10-oz pints of Guinness, $3 rails, and $1.50 domestics at Mick O’Shea’s; and $5 margaritas, $1-off call liquor, and $1-off all drafts and domestics at Midtown BBQ.
“It’s such a nice idea,” Niehenki says. “It’s a great way to show people the good parts [of the situation] rather than all of the bad parts that we see on T.V.”
If you can’t make it to the event tonight, but would like to make a donation, click here.