‘Barstool Sports’ Owner Helps Struggling Michigan Pub

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has been pretty vocal about his thoughts on how the government has handled helping out small businesses throughout our country during the pandemic. So much so that he finally decided he just couldn’t sit by without helping.

On December 17, Portnoy announced the Barstool Fund, an initiative to assist small businesses who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds would be used to help businesses with things like rent relief or tax relief.

He took to Twitter making the case that small business owners “have been left behind by the government”, with their policies put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as the shut downs. Portnoy noted it’s becoming impossible for these businesses to stay afloat. 

Since the fund was announced it’s raised just over $9 million with the company donating a half $1 million and encouraging others to donate as well. So far 42 small businesses have been aided by the fund and the latest happens to be located right here in Michigan.

Champ’s Pub, located in Brighton, will receive $10,700 from the Barstool Fund. Described as  “the type of ‘Cheers’ Bar, where everybody knows your name — and offers 17 drafts and over 100 bottles of beer. This is a local’s favorite that boasts the best burger in Livingston County, although the data is a bit inconclusive.”

In their submitted email and video posted on the Barstool Fund Twitter & Instagram pages, pub owner Dave Beauchamp talks about the history of the popular Livingston County watering hole. Opened in September of 1981, Champ’s is located between the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor in Michigan State University and East Lansing. Because of that,  one side of their sign is green and white and the other is maize and blue, just to keep everyone happy .

Beauchamp mentions the Pub is named after his Dad and it is his fraternity nickname, ‘Champ’. He also brags they have one heck of a burger that's the best around and that they haven't changed since they opened way back when.  (You can read the full letter here.)

Their video and letter impressed Portnoy, a U of M grad himself, so much that he Facetimed Beauchamp to give him the good news saying, "...you can't let history and stories like that go out of business".

Barstool Fund not only lists the businesses they are helping on their website and social media, but they offer the opportunity for others to donate to them as well and even purchase their business merchandise.