Help The V-Spot bar employees after fire

On New Year's Eve, the roof of The V-Spot in Scranton caught fire while it was being repaired for minor leaks. While no patrons were in the bar yet and no one was hurt, the fire, smoke, and water damage will be costly to repair and all of the employees - including bartenders, bouncers, kitchen staff, and event staff - will be out of work until everything is fixed and the venue can safely reopen, which may take almost a month or more. After dealing with two years of statewide COVID shutdowns and restrictions, these employees have endured enough already, so let's help them out in their time of need and start the new year right. We're raising these funds independently and were not asked by anyone to do so - we just love The V-Spot and want to give back to their awesome staff while the bar is closed. Any funds raised will benefit the employees only - the owners have already contacted us and said that they're not taking a dime of this money.

 

The V-Spot is an important part of the local music scene, hosting live bands, an open mic, karaoke, and more every week, even serving as the home of the annual Steamtown Music Awards. This bar has also hosted countless fundraisers and donated gift cards, baskets, etc. to many charitable causes over the last 11 years, so this is the least we can do to give back to a venue that has offered so much to the community for over a decade. You'd also be hard pressed to find friendlier or more personable employees at any bar or restaurant.

 

Despite what they've been going through, the owners and staff of the V-Spot have not asked for any financial help yet, but they shouldn't have to, so that's why NEPA Scene has started this online fundraiser. The more we raise, the more we can put their minds at ease during this stressful time. Here is the message that co-owner Vinnie Archer shared on social media after the fire:

 

"What a heartbreaking end to 2021.

 

At approximately 5:00 p.m. on Friday (N.Y.E.), our roof on the second story of our three story building accidentally caught fire while being repaired for minor, pesky leaks. Luckily, we were not open yet, choosing to open at 7p instead of 3p that evening due to staffing issues. Good fortune had it that our kitchen manager was there prepping for the evening when he heard screams for help from above. Three of our own fire extinguishers were used to combat the flames before the Scranton Fire Department arrived. Bernie (our kitchen superman) is responsible for saving our building from sustaining 10× the possible fire, smoke and water damage that it actually did. That guy has a history of "saving the day" since the day we met him. An incredible asset to our business in all ways imaginable. Our gratitude for his bravery is simply immeasurable!

 

The amount of friends and family on the scene to offer help and emotional support was truly humbling. The Scranton Fire Department were so quick to respond as well as the Scranton Police Department. Both concern and empathy were crystal clear to see from both of those departments. Bartenders, bouncers, former employees and even our own children crossed caution tape to show solidarity in what was clearly the darkest hour of our 11 year existence. Thank you to all who helped try to comfort us.

 

What now?

 

Well, this morning we met with 3 city officials. Each showing genuine respect for us not only as business owner's, but as peers compassionately identifying with our sadness and shock. It was a comforting reaction from them for sure. With their direction, we now know what to do and what not to do to get our business back up and running as soon as possible.

 

Trust us. With the swiftness... we will make all the phone calls, make all the appointments, answer to and comply with all agencies involved in the process of making our building safe to reopen again. In a perfect world, where everyone involved in the repair process works as efficiently as they can, we will be back up and running in 2-3 weeks.

 

[To the band scheduled to play that night], Dance Hall Devils, we are SO sorry this happened. We really love you guys. To our massive following of patrons, we love you too and are equally sorry to ruin what was sure to have been a legendary night out.

 

We will keep posting re-opening projections as we learn them. 'Til then, stay hopeful with us... We want nothing more than to be together again with you all!"