The Barstool Fund - Honey Whyte's
Up next: Honey Whyte's (Richmond, VA)
Honey Whyte's was established 18 years ago and has since become a local favorite. Head on in, and feast your eyes on the greatest burger ever made. Wash it down with an ice cold draft beer. You won't be sorry you did.
Reader Email
Honey Whyte's was founded in 2003 by John and Leslie Jingluski at the age of 25. The vision was a simple burger place with occasional live music. John pulled out a second mortgage on his first home. Leslie created a budget to open a restaurant with less than $50,000. They searched classified ads and attended auctions to purchase used equipment. After several long months of painting and building tables, the business grew its own legs. It became a local watering hole and a neighborhood burger favorite for almost 18 years. John and Leslie, both musicians, gave back to the local music scene by hosting a venue for local musicians to shine in an intimate setting. Honey Whyte's grew as did the family. John and Leslie were married in 2004 and blessed with three children in years later. In 2007-2009, Honey Whyte's, like many local restaurants suffered in a devastating recession. Leslie stayed at home with two children in diapers as John worked 70 hours a week. Many times, he worked the kitchen, bar and front of the house by himself in an effort to merely keep the doors open. Through it all, Honey Whyte's survived the trial only to come out a more stable business. Between 2009 - 2019, Honey Whyte's earned its name as a neighborhood staple. The business thrived as a local burger restaurant, even earning awards and titles in local magazines such as Richmond Magazine. In April of 2020, a global pandemic began to threaten a small business that worked so hard to be successful. Restrictions placed on restaurants to prevent the spread of COVID placed a great deal of stress on this small business. Restaurants were restricted to take-out and delivery only for many. months. When the dining rooms were allowed to re-open, the social distancing guidelines made it difficult to produce the income needed to sustain fixed expenses. Fortunately, we have a very loyal customer base. They have supported us as much as they can in a global pandemic. We have neared the end of our savings and a small SBA Loan that will allow us to "ride out the storm". Any financial help that could be awarded to help with our expenses until business' can open to our full capacity would be more appreciated than this essay can express. We appreciate the opportunity to tell our story.
