Patricia Prosen is a single mother of two children, a cancer survivor and the owner of the Mexican restaurant Que Rico in Lakeview, but this holiday season she receives a helping hand from an internet-powered restaurant fund run by Barstool Sports.
“Que Rico is not just a restaurant. Que Rico is my home, “Prosen said in a video. “I am sorry that I will become so emotional, but this is my home. My employees are not just employees – my employees are my family. “
Prosen shared his struggles as a small business owner during a pandemic in a two-minute video posted online. In the video, she introduced her longtime staff, including her daughter Isabella.
“If this restaurant had taken me, I don’t know what I would do with my life,” said Isbaella Tapia, who is a waitress at the restaurant.
The video was part of a presentation to The Barstool Fund. Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports has launched a campaign to help small business owners across the country affected by COVID-19. He has raised over $ 6 million since Friday night.
“I just wrote an email and I just said hey, here’s my friend, that’s all he’s been through that he never got a hand or a penny from anyone,” said Courtney Connolly, who is a long-term customer and friend.
Connolly heard from Barstool Sports about sending her e-mail and video. Then, on Christmas Eve, Prosen received a Facetime call while driving.
“I would go to the restaurant to give the Christmas presents to the staff and their bonus and get a random call,” Prosen said. “I answered him and I saw his face and I’m like, Dave, like I knew him, like, ‘Hello Dave! “It was so exciting! “
He had to stop and joked with Portnoy that he didn’t want to crash his car.
“He said briefly that he was touched by my story and I thank God Barstool Funds that I can get help,” Prosen said.
Prosen said Portnoy made him Christmas by giving him $ 15,000. The money will help her cover the salaries of six employees and other expenses.
“I have these great employees,” she said. “It will break my heart. They’ve been with me since I opened. I have a chef who has been with me for 26 years, another cook for 15 years. “
Prosen is so grateful to her staff, long-time customers and this Christmas present for keeping her restaurant open.
“I’m blessed. It’s changed my life right now,” she said. “Because it’s scary. I don’t know if I could survive another five months since I was imprisoned to tell you the truth – I won’t.”
Prosen urges people in the community to support small businesses and order directly from the restaurant.
“Right now, only delivery and pick-ups are closed, not to mention names, but most third-party delivery companies don’t help small restaurants at all,” she said. “The percentage they keep from selling is absurd.”