Small business owners of all kinds are struggling to provide for their employees. It's hard when your work family has grown to be as close as your real family. That's how Jennifer Knox, owner of The Sand Bar on Tybee Island in Georgia, felt when she was forced to shut her bar down.
On March 24, The Sand Bar shut down, as many other businesses have. By the end of the month, Jennifer found herself sitting in her empty bar. Not only would her business struggle as a result, but so would her employees. It hurts Jennifer because of her history with the place. She worked there for seven years before she came to own it. She now runs it with her mother, Pam Hessler.
As she sat there, an idea came to her. For over 15 years, bar patrons had been stapling dollars all over the bar walls. Visitors passing through would leave a memory on their bill, proof they had been there. She figured now was as good a time as any to take those dollars down and give back to the people who help her: her employees.
At this time of year, Jennifer Knox would typically walk into a bustling bar. She owns The Sand Bar on Tybee Island, Georgia, with her mom, Pam Hessler. At the end of March, Jennifer found herself sitting in a completely empty bar.
Jennifer was forced to close down The Sand Bar on March 24, when restaurants became limited to takeout or delivery. Despite the fact they were closed down, Jennifer did see opportunity when she looked around her bar. She had at least one more shot of getting some pay to her employees.
"We were sitting there doors locked and I'm like oh my gosh, 'there's money on the walls and we have time on our hands," she told CNN. "'We gotta get this money down.'"
The money on the walls had become a staple (pun intended) of the bar's decor over the last 15 years.
Patrons of the bar would write memories of their time there on dollar bills. Then, they stapled them to the bar walls. It was a testament to their time there, and it became part of the bar's charm. Now it could be a saving grace to its employees.
Jennifer worked at the bar for seven years before becoming its owner. She recently celebrated her sixth anniversary as owner.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing," Jennifer said of the bar's employees. "I'll do what I can for my people."
Over the next three and a half days, Jennifer and five volunteers worked together to get the money off the walls. It wasn't easy. Some of it had been there for more than 10 years. Some bills had a lot of staples in them, making them tricky to get down in one piece. There was even currency from other countries among the money.
After all the bills were off the walls, the job wasn't done. It took another week and a half to get all the money cleaned off. When they counted it all, they discovered $3,714 had been collected from the walls and ceiling.
Several customers who heard about the project decided to chip in. With their donations added to the money collected off the walls, Jennifer was able to distribute $4,104 to her staff. Four bartenders and two musicians each were given $600.
Tybee Island is one of Georgia's most popular vacation destinations. They were just at the beginning of their busy season as the winter chill lifted when the shutdown happened. The town of 3,000 people depends on this time of year.
That's why Jennifer decided to extend her help to the entire island. She's currently accepting donations to distribute among small businesses affected. She explained her decision in a heartwarming Instagram post.
"Feeling overwhelmed today, with good and bad feelings … it’s hard to balance all these thoughts and feelings. I know you all understand that," she wrote. "I’m so grateful for all of your sweet comments and posts. Thank you."
"We are not doing these news segments for the attention whatsoever, but they are looking for positive stories right now. Neither station mentioned this part though," she continued.
"I’ve set up a Venmo account, not only for my employees and musicians, but any other service industry person on Tybee that needs the help."
"If you are feeling called to donate, here’s how," she noted.
"100% is going to the people. We will get through this! And I can’t wait to sling some drinks for you all soon!!! Thank you, thank you!!! #tybeestrong."
Now that the walls are bare, Jennifer's going to treat the place to a touch-up. Visitors will be greeted by a fresh coat of brightly colored paint when the bar can reopen. As for whether dollar bills will grace the walls again, Jennifer's considering a new way for visitors to leave their mark.
