Community, Businesses Rally to Stage Benefit Concert for Red Bar Employees
The Grayton Beer Company held the concert to raise funds and help with employment
Thousands of people gathered on Feb. 17 at Grayton Beer Company to show their support for The Red Bar and its more than 100 employees who are striving to rebound after an early morning fire destroyed the Grayton Beach restaurant.
In the wake of the Feb. 13 tragedy, community members and businesses, including Shofar Stage Productions, the South Walton Reef Association, Oyster City Brewing Company, Grayton Beer Company, Grayton Beer Brewpub, Cultural Arts Alliance, Proffitt PR, the Lewis Bear Company, AJ’s Grayton Beach, and Johnny on the Spot, rallied together to stage the Red Bar Employee Benefit Concert at the Grayton Beer Company taproom.
“Our brothers and sisters at The Red Bar needed the community to step up and they did so in spades,” said Jamey Price, president and founder of Grayton Beer Company, in a press release. “The scale of this benefit concert would normally take months of planning. A very dedicated group pulled it off in less than a day. It was our goal to bridge the gap between the fire and The Red Bar employees finding employment. We made great strides on Sunday.”
The five-hour event featured the Forrest Williams Band, TKO, the Wildlife Specials, Cadillac Willy, Fritz, Tanner Gray of The Graytones, Andi and Kevin Johnson, and more. A total of $27,590.56 was raised.
“We knew people loved us, but we didn’t expect this outpouring of support,” said Red Bar manager Mark Jimenez. “To have seen that many people come out was overwhelming. We just don’t know how to say thank you, or express our gratitude enough.”
The benefit brought thousands from the community out to show some love for The Red Bar. Photo courtesy of the Grayton Beer Company
Jimenez said Red Bar co-owner Oli Petit is more heartbroken over his staff’s sudden unemployment than the loss of his business. Petit told Jimenez, “It’s not the restaurant that makes the Red Bar what it is; it’s the employees.”
“This support means so much to us because this isn’t just a restaurant, it’s our home,” Jimenez said. “For us, it’s as if someone died. But we have to get through it, especially for Oli. If he sees we’re down, he’s going to start feeling down, too. So, we’re going to be happy, overcome this and look forward to the new Red Bar.”
Jimenez said Petit has the original Red Bar blueprints and is planning a “to-the-T” rebuild. Well, with the exception of some slightly more accommodating bathrooms.
“Oli wants to keep everything the same because that’s the charm — it’s the lovable chaos of hot plates weaving their way through the crowd and trying to dodge them,” Jimenez laughed. “That’s what makes us the Red Bar. We couldn’t ask for a better family.”
In the spirit of Grayton Beer’s fundraiser, Graffiti and the Funky Blues Shack in Destin will host a concert by the Shakedown this Friday, Feb. 22, from 8 p.m. until midnight.
Those who are unable to attend, but still wish to donate, can do so by visiting their GoFundMe account. This is the only GoFundMe account that is officially endorsed by The Red Bar.
