JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After News4JAX highlighted the struggles of Jacksonville’s oldest eatery following multiple break-ins, the community stepped up to help in a big way and donated thousands.
Since the story was published on Wednesday evening, a GoFundMe page set up by the owner of Holley’s Bar-B-Q has received more than $5,500 in donations, including two people who donated $1,000 each.
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The restaurant on Moncrief Road that has been open since 1937 has two claims to fame: It’s the oldest continuously operating barbecue restaurant in Jacksonville and it’s said to be where curly fries were invented.
Owner Wendy Holley said she has been asking for help because she has been struggling to keep the restaurant afloat. She said someone broke into her store back in July, and that break-in, and others, cost her thousands of dollars in repairs.
But Wendy said she is not going to let her family‘s business crumble and plans to keep fighting. Now, thanks to the community, she has a chance to keep her family’s dream alive with over $7,100 in total donations so far.
She’s also getting help from the police.
After hearing about the issues Holley’s Bar-B-Q was having with crime, JSO said it immediately reached out to Ms. Holley to listen to her concerns.
On Thursday, JSO said it connected her with a supervisor in its Community Engagement Unit who will visit her business, discuss the challenges and connect her with resources. Patrol leadership in the district said it has worked to help the business in the past and that will continue, JSO said.
JSO said there are several opportunities for business owners who are having issues with crime including Sheriff’s Watch, Business Watch, and Connect Duval.
“We encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to JSO and set up a meeting,” JSO Community Engagement Executive Vic Micolucci said.
