Old Town Alexandria Restaurant Gets Help From Barstool Fund

ALEXANDRIA, VA — An Old Town Alexandria restaurant got the good news from Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports who started a fund for small businesses struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Fish Market, a family-owned business restaurant and raw bar in a centuries-old building, has been in business on lower King Street for 45 years. After submitting a video to apply for the Barstool Fund, the restaurant was chosen as one of the small businesses to receive money to help keep it open.

Jesse Maas, director of operations for The Fish Market, was in disbelief when he got the call from Portnoy announcing the restaurant would get funds.

"What you're doing, it means a lot," Maas told Portnoy on the call.

Portnoy said the business would receive funds within 72 hours of the call and that the Barstool Fund would check in every month to ensure the business gets the help it needs.

Maas noted the restaurant's struggles in a video submission to the Barstool Fund. When restrictions were first implemented last March, the restaurant focused on takeout and tried creative ideas. However, the restaurant relies heavily on tourism, and that was suddenly gone.

Maas said employees like family and some have been there for over 30 years. Fish Market has been able to pay essential staff and managers, and it's brought 44 employees back since last April. However, Maas said income of the restaurant is down 60 percent.

"If things don't change for us here at the Fish Market, closing is just going to be inevitable," said Maas in the video. "Our family of employees depend on us staying open. They've been here their entire life, and generations of them have been here."

The Barstool Fund selects small businesses to receive support through the end of the pandemic. To date, the Barstool Fund has raised over $34 million and supported 211 businesses. It has also helped Crystal City Sports Pub and Freddie's Beach Bar in Arlington as well as Kilroy's Restaurant in Springfield.