A Cincinnati Cajun-Creole restaurant has launched a fundraiser to keep its doors open.
In a letter posted to its website, BrewRiver Creole Kitchen explains that, like many restaurants in Greater Cincinnati and across the country, it was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and is still feeling its sting.
“The cost to keep a restaurant open has grown exponentially over the last 4 years, and in our area of the country, raising prices to match that is not generally accepted by guests,” writes BrewRiver partner Joby Bowman.
Bowman explains that she and executive chef Michael Shields have tried mitigating the increased expenses by redesigning their menu to be more cost-friendly and hosting fundraising concerts, but says those efforts haven’t been enough to sustain the restaurant.
“So….. We have come to that point where we need your help to keep our doors open. We aren’t going to make it otherwise. We are stubborn and won’t go down without a fight. This restaurant means everything to us and we hope it is special to you as well,” Bowman writes.
Throughout this week, BrewRiver aims to raise $30,000. For $100 donation, you’ll receive a beer stein/coffee mug handcrafted by Cincinnati potter Jaime Iliff and become a member of BrewRiver’s resurrected Stein Club. If you’re a member of the Stein Club, you can get a full stein’s worth of draft craft beer or wine (24 ounces) for the price of a normal 14-ounce pour at the restaurant. You’ll also receive a $25 gift card for BrewRiver.
BrewRiver says its goal is to sell at least 300 of these steins by the end of the week. You can purchase one through the restaurant’s website, or by donating via Venmo at @brewrivercreole.
BrewRiver Creole Kitchen, 4632 Eastern Ave., Linwood. More info: brewrivercreolekitchen.com.
This article appears in Dec 11-24, 2024.
