Water Street Tavern in Kent gets help from Barstool Sports as it struggles during COVID-19 pandemic

KENT, Ohio — A bar in Kent received some help from an unexpected place as it, like many other small businesses, works to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Water Street Tavern is a staple in Kent, especially for students at Kent State University, but with all of the state’s restrictions the bar has been suffering a "death by a thousand cuts."

That’s when Mike Beder, the owner of Water Street Tavern, thought he’d take a chance and submit a video for digital media powerhouse Barstool Sports and its initiative to help small businesses all over the country.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy created the Barstool Fund in order to help small businesses struggling through the pandemic and has so far surpassed $20 million in funds raised and has already helped nearly 100 businesses.

After seeing Beder’s video submission, Portnoy and his team selected Water Street Tavern to be one of the recipients of its fundraising efforts.

“It’s a huge relief, just to know that that overhead is completely taken care of,” Beder said. “A bar adjacent to Kent State in Kent, Ohio—to be on their radar in the first place, and that they would feel it’s worth ensuring it exists for years to come, is very humbling.”

Portnoy FaceTimed Beder to let him know the good news and posted the video on Twitter.

Kent State grad and New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman even took to Twitter to express his excitement for Beder and Water Street Tavern.

To learn more about the Barstool Fund, click here.