Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy Helps Save California Businesses While Lawmakers Dawdle

Dave Portnoy may not be a household name, but he’s a rock star to business owners across the country.

Portnoy is the proprietor of Barstool Sports, located in New York now, originally from Massachusetts, which he describes as “a sports and pop culture blog covering the latest news and viral highlights of each and everyday with blogs, videos and podcasts. By the common man, for the common man.”

A few months ago Portnoy mentioned on air that he wanted to do something for the millions of small businesses and owners who were suffering so terribly, as extended government lockdowns continue to kill businesses across the country.

Quick update #barstoolfund pic.twitter.com/5moMrpcBYk

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 18, 2020

In December 2020, Portnoy announced The Barstool Fund, would go towards helping small businesses stay afloat while certain state governments continue to lock them down (New York, California, New Jersey, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, Oregon).

“If you ask me how much money we’re going to raise… I think we’re going to raise f***ing tens of millions of dollars,” Portnoy said. Portnoy created a website where business owners, friends and family can submit an application for help at TheBarstoolFund.com/apply.

And the donations started rolling in from Americans from all walks of life.

Portnoy’s fund has raised more than $36 million, and helped 311 struggling businesses, including nearly 40 in California. He’s assisted many restaurants, bars, taverns, coffee shops, dry cleaners, travel agencies, the YMCA in Oneonta, NY, a bowling alley in Green Bay, WI, a teacher store for educators and parents in Chicago, a day care center in Philadelphia, PA, and another one in Victor NY.

Watch the videos of the business owners on The Barstool Fund page — you can hear how desperate they are to save their businesses and employees.

This video of the owner of the Edwards Market exemplifies the reaction to Dave Portnoy’s call with the good news:

The call to Edwards Market. #BarstoolFund pic.twitter.com/inHNfSZlKU

— The Barstool Fund (@BarstoolFund) March 3, 2021

In California, while Gov. Gavin Newsom continued to issue double mask mandates and kept businesses and schools closed, the state Legislature disappeared for 10 months ignoring businesses in their own cities, and county public officials enforced the draconian lockdowns, The Barstool Fund provided critical financial assistance to 38 businesses so they wouldn’t go under:

The Sardine Can restaurant in Vallejo, Georgio’s Sports Bar and Pizzeria in Sun Valley, Mad Mike’s American Gourmet in Temecula, Harbor Lanes Family Fun Center in Eureka, The Saddle Room equestrian themed event center in Redwood City, Jacks N Joe all day breakfast restaurant in Los Angeles, Santa Clarita Tattoo in Santa Clarita, The Tattoo Room in Simi Valley, Sutter Station Tavern in San Francisco, Route 66 Classic Grille in Santa Clarita, Revolucion Cantina in Fullerton, Underground Salon in Long Beach, La Cave Steakhouse in Costa Mesa, American Bull Bar & Grill in Burlingame, Firenze By Night Ristorante in San Francisco, Tresetti’s World Cafe in Modesto, The Dance Studio of Fresno, The Spa and Hungry Hair Salon in Fresno, Natural Grille in Arcadia, Firehouse Taverna in Tarzana, Tia Margarita in San Francisco, Burger Hut in Chico, Capitol Garage in Sacramento, Crest Cafe in San Diego, More than Waffles in Encino, Wagon Wheel Coffee Shop in Carmel Valley, Rosie’s BBQ & Grillery in Northridge, True Blue Barber Shop in Costa Mesa, Vincenzo’s Terrazza’ in West Covina, Cactus Cantina in Riverside, Tadich Grill in San Francisco, Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop in Mammoth Lakes, The Princeton Company in Corona, Mitla Cafe in San Bernardino, Mexican Riviera in Torrance, Rubi’s Frosty Freeze in Whittier, Anaheim White House in Anaheim, Locale Farm to Table Eatery in Bakersfield.

These business owners had nowhere to turn for help in California. Thousands of other businesses have closed permanently.

Also at The Barstool Fund Portnoy has an easy link if you are able to help, you can make a tax deductible contribution to support small businesses by clicking ‘Contribute to the Fund.’ You can also support small businesses by purchasing one of his cool shirts. 100% of the net proceeds will go towards supporting small businesses.”

We listed the 38 California businesses so you know who these local business owners are, and how hard they are trying to survive, as are so many others who haven’t received any assistance. Portnoy is a hero, just because he cares enough about “the common man, for the common man” to use his platform to help.

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