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The Starry Plough Pub has been an important part of the East Bay bar, nightlife and live music scene for decades.
But the Berkeley favorite, which opened in 1973, is now in dire financial straits due to the COVID-19 pandemic and asking for help from the public via a GoFundMe page.
“We were hesitant to setup a gofundme, but due to the extension of the shelter in place and those who messaged us asking how they can help we have set up this fundraiser,” a message reads on the GoFundMe page. “We have been extremely fortunate to serve our community for the last 47 years providing home cooked meals, craft beer, and entertainment to the East Bay Area while also serving as a safe space giving local artists and organizations a platform to express themselves on our stage.
“We feel so fortunate to be able to bring our community together in so many ways throughout the years and are honored to have earned our status as a Berkeley institution. While we like to consider ourselves a community space that isn’t going anywhere, we are a business that has struggled over the years to keep our doors open with the changing times. We have successfully managed to stay afloat until now.
“If you love The Plough and want to help us keep our doors open after this pandemic is over, please do what you can by supporting us and spreading the word. We understand these are difficult times for everybody and we appreciate any help you can give from the bottom of our hearts. We hope we can serve you for another 47 years!”
And the community has definitely responded to the cry for help. The funding goal was listed as $30K and, as of Tuesday morning, nearly $24K had been raised.
I have tears in my eyes after reading my appreciation piece for #johnprine. So, maybe, I did what I needed to do here. @JohnPrineMusic https://t.co/Fs42KpjnkO
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) April 8, 2020
Thanks to @Jimthecritic & @mercnews: Happy 40th anniversary to R.E.M., the greatest American rock band of all time https://t.co/XCW98xQfIf via @mercnews
— R.E.M. HQ (@remhq) April 5, 2020
Our @jimthecritic Harrington at @mercnews brings us the sad news: https://t.co/IpB27sNCNe The worst part about this, if it turns out to be true, we'd have to wait like forever to read another one of Jim's great pop reviews.
— Elliott Almond (Original blue check) (@ElliottAlmond) April 14, 2020
What this shows me is the indomitable human spirit. When that's alive the fortitude, the inner light, in all of us is risen. #Easter2020 https://t.co/VFsi5zAkuL
— Martha Quinn Ⓥ (@MarthaQuinn) April 12, 2020
