WORCESTER – The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the restaurant and bar industry across the country, and you only have to look towards downtown Worcester to see its effects up close and personal.
With the initial COVID-19 shutdown in Massachusetts earlier this year, and the current rollback to Step 1, Phase III of the state’s reopening plan, the city’s restaurants and bars [at least those that remain open] have spent the last nine months treading water.
A downtown Worcester bar and restaurant is looking to the community for help in securing its existence in the months ahead.
The Muse — located on Main St. in the city’s theater district across from the Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money to cover monthly expenses as the pandemic continues.
Owner John Rinaldo posted on the page, “It’s always tough to ask for help, but this has been a year for a lot of us where we feel we truly need it. Honestly we wouldn’t be able to keep our doors open this long of wasn’t for the support of our amazing customers…we ultimately received a very small amount of federal assistance ($2700 [PPP]) after applying for countless grants and loans. Despite this, we keep trying everything we could think of to increase sales whether by take out or dine in, new menu items, and cocktails to go, and it sadly just hasn’t been enough.”
The Muse is hoping to raise $25,000 and, as of Sunday evening, has raised nearly $5200 towards it goal.
To make a donation, click the link below:
