St. Petersburg, Fla. – The news of Georgie’s Alibi closing spread quickly through the community after Watermark broke the story Sept. 9. Many took to social media to share stories of the LGBT watering hole and to ask what this means for the gay bar scene in St. Pete.
Along with the many events and charities Georgie’s sponsored and helped with over the years, the establishment was the workplace for more than 50 people who, once the doors close, will be out a job.
Loyal customer and owner of Gay St. Pete House, Brian Longstreth, has setup a GoFundMe fundraising page for the employees.
“Georgie’s Alibi staff is like family to many people here in St Pete,” Longstreth says. “They’ve had a tough couple of years and have continued to work hard and give their time back to the community in many ways. I felt bad for them only getting a nine day notice and it’s going to be a rough nine days at that. I just thought it was the right thing to do.”
The GoFundMe page states that 100 percent of the funds raised will go to the employees to get them by for the short term.
Georgie’s Alibi’s final day of operation will be Sept. 19.
