Patricia Prosen is a single mother of two, a cancer patient and the owner of Que Rico Mexican Restaurant in Lakeview, but this holiday season she gets a helping hand from an internet-powered restaurant fund led by Barstool Sports.
“Que Rico is not just a restaurant. Que Rico is my home, ”said Prosen in a video. ‘I’m sorry I’m going to get so emotional, but this is my home. My employees aren’t just employees – my employees are my family. “
Prosen shared her struggles as a small business owner during a pandemic in a two-minute video posted online. In the video, she introduced her old staff, including her daughter Isabella.
“If this restaurant were taken from me, I don’t know what I would do with my life,” says Isbaella Tapia, who is a waitress at the restaurant.
The video was part of an entry to The Barstool Fund. Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy launched the campaign to help small business owners across the country dealing with COVID-19. He raised more than $ 6 million on Friday night.
“I just wrote an email and I just said hey, here’s my friend, this is all she’s been through and never got a hand or a dime from anyone,” said Courtney Connolly, a longtime customer and friend.
Connolly heard back from Barstool Sports about her email and video submission. On Christmas Eve, Prosen received a FaceTime call while driving.
“I drove to the restaurant to deliver Christmas gifts to the staff and their bonus and I get a random call,” said Prosen. ‘I answered and I see his face and I’m like, Dave, as I knew him, like’ hi Dave! “It was so exciting!”
She had to stop and joked with Portnoy that she didn’t want to crash her car.
“He said briefly that he was moved by my story and I thank God to Barstool Funds for getting help,” said Prosen.
Prosen said Portnoy made her Christmas by giving her $ 15,000. With the money she can cover the wages of six employees and other expenses.
“I have great employees,” she said. ‘It will break my heart. They have been with me since I opened. I have a cook who has been with me for 26 years, another cook for 15 years. “
Prosen is so grateful to her staff, regulars and this Christmas gift for keeping her restaurant open.
“I’m blessed. It has changed my life now,” she said. “Because it’s scary. I don’t know if I could stay closed for five more months and tell you the truth – I won’t.”
Prosen is urging people in the community to support small businesses and order directly from the restaurant.
“Now that we are closed and only deliver and collect, not to mention names, but most third-party delivery companies don’t serve small restaurants at all,” she said. “The percentage they like the sale is ridiculous.”