The Barstool Fund - Chick and Bernie's Red Rooster Inn (Thanks To Penn National Gaming)
Thank you to Penn National Gaming for their donation to help cover our next business, Chick and Bernie's Red Rooster Inn (Philadelphia, PA).
The Red Rooster Inn was acquired by Chick & Bernie Schickling in 1983. Sadly, after expanding the business, in February of 2005, Chick was diagnosed with cancer and passed away a few months later. Now, the staff works to keep his memory alive.
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My family has owned Chick and Bernie's Red Rooster Inn since 1983. I was 4 years old when my dad (Chick) and my mom (Bernie) opened up our family business. My parents were so loved by their customers and staff that in 2005 they decided to expand the business from a little neighborhood bar to a full bar and restaurant. My parents were so excited to expand they put everything they had financially into their new business venture. In Feb of 2005 my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer throughout his whole body…6 weeks later on April 5th my dad died. My mom was heartbroken but she picked herself up and pushed forward and kept building our family business. My mom was the strongest person I know. She lost the love of her life and never gave up on their dream. She struggled through some very tough times especially in 2008 when the economy tanked. She again pushed their and kept her business going. Although my father made me go to college and insisted I get my degree because he wanted me to have education to fall back on in case the bar restaurant business ever became obsolete, I spent my whole life at the "Rooster." I've done everything from bus tables, clean crabs, wash dishes, work the fryers, waitress and bartender. In 2017 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was officially my turn to take over the reigns of the family business. My mom did it all and when she got sick it she didn't stop. She still went to work everyday. She still washed dishes. She still cleaned bathrooms… til finally cancer beat her down bad. I watched my mom suffer the worse death and the most important thing she told me was to keep pushing forward.. don't give up!
I am determined to keep my family business alive. 2019 was our best year in business and I was so proud of myself, my family, my staff and our loyal customers for making it such a successful year. 2020 was expected to be even better … parties booked, bands booked, so many events scheduled!!! What a nightmare it's been. I feel like we have been crushed !!! If I lost the family business because of my own faults then so be it Shame on me BUT I know I've done everything I possibly can to keep pushing forward! Pandemic is literally destroying us !! We are known in our local community as a family oriented establishment. March 16th i voluntarily closed our business bc of fear of drawing crowds for St Patrick's Day and in good conscience i couldn't invite people's families to celebrate at our place if I was afraid to bring my own there. It became mandatory to close for 2 weeks…which we did. We since moved into curbside takeout, we built an outdoor dining area, and we pushed catering. We are a neighborhood bar and restaurant we need our people our customers sitting at our bar .. dining in our restaurant. Unfortunately that has not happened in weeks and I dont forsee things returning to normal anytime soon. I have never worked so hard to make no money! Im in survival mode just trying to hold on as long as I can while going deeper and deeper in debt. I did not get PPP first time around I will try again. I took out a loan from SBA which must be paid back starting this June but I have no idea how im going to do that !! Please help me i don't want to lose our family business!! My staff is my extended family they are depending on me I cant let them or my parents down !!! Yes im literally crying while I write this but im genuine im sincere this business is ALL I know. My whole life has revolved around the Rooster ! I met my husband here we got married in 2009 and we have 3 kids of our own. My oldest son is one of my best employees! Thank you for reading this and for doing this for all businesses!!!! Whether I receive this or not im grateful to tell my story and to see so many other deserving businesses get help!! Thanks Dave!!