“Mary Needs the Community’s HELP!” Reads a WeHo Hamburger Mary’s GoFundMe fundraiser that launched today, Tuesday, January 19, 2021. The fundraiser, created by Robert DiCecco on behalf of Dale Warner, the owner of the restaurant and bar, states that all money raised will pay incurred expenses, business loan payments, utilities for the Weho Hamburger Mary’s restaurant.
Hamburger Mary’s is located at 8288 Santa Monica Blvd. The American bar & grill chain is known for its diner classics, drink specials, drag shows, and special events like Drag Queen Bingo. The space has given back to the community by hosting numerous fundraisers.
The ask is for $380,000.
Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMES
Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMESThe full statement of the GoFundMe ask is as follows:
Hey Family & Friends of Mary’s, we hope all are doing well and safe .
Hamburger Mary’s has been located in the heart of West Hollywood, CA (WeHo) since 2003 and is hoping, with your help, to remain there for many years to come.
Mary’s has been a WeHo fun favorite and a inclusive institution for the community and travelers from all corners of the globe.
Mary and her entertainers have brought joy and acceptance to the world with countless Charity Bingo fundraisers, Karaoke, Drag Shows, Lip Sync Contests, TRIVA Nights and Comedy shows.
When COVID-19 hit in March , we had to close our doors to indoor dinning, which was 90% of our business. We did everything possible to stay in business from July – November , with the county of LA’s on and off restrictions by only being open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then moving from indoor dining to the parking lot.
Surviving this devastating financial hardship has been extremely difficult. Although we did receive a small SBA loan at the beginning of the pandemic, Mary never expected the forced closures to go on and off for this long. Those funds have now been depleted and the new proposed COVID relief bill for small business does not go nearly far enough to help the decimated restaurant and bar industry.
We have lost too many historic venues resulting from this pandemic already, changing the face of our community & neighborhood.
All money raised will pay incurred expenses, business loan payments, utilities for the Weho Hamburger Mary’s restaurant.
With your support, we’ll be able to continue to be here for the neighborhood until we can safely reopen at 100%.
On Behalf of The Mary’s Family, we thank you for your support during this difficult time and for the past 17 years and we look forward , for one day , to seeing everyone very soon where we can all drink, eat and be Mary .. again !!
Please be safe and share this with as many Mary’s Friends that you know.
Thank You ,
Mary”
Photo by Paulo Murillo for WEHO TIMESTo make a donation, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-mary-hamburger-marys-needs-your-help?qid=1980061895713fb4f55dc533704402e3
$380,00??? Wow!
Whilst a feel for them, that’s an INSANE amount of money they are asking for. It may be a realistic sum, but it might come across as greedy. We shall see.