San Francisco Carousel and Bay Plunge
Donation protected
The Carousel on Pier 39 is a San Francisco City icon. Our company ownership is 50% minority held and currently, 100% of our employees are minorities. We strive to mirror the charm and diversity that is San Francisco.
As with everyone, the Covid 19 pandemic has hit us hard, and the Carousel and Bay Plunge have been closed for business for since March 16th 2020. On August 18th, 2020 our appeal to open the Carousel was denied by the Health Department without stating any reason, just a 2 line veto. This is so surprising, since we believe our new Covid safety procedures are at a higher standard than even outdoor dining. The Health Department website specifically states “outdoor activities” - fitness and gatherings of 12 or less are allowed to open. Our Covid protocol allows only 12 riders at a time, on a 2 story, outdoor Carousel that seats 50. There are plexiglass barriers installed to protect guests and employees, with social distancing markers and signage in place. Customers are required to wear masks and employees are mandated to wear masks and gloves. We provide separate hand sanitizer locations for employees and customers. We wipe down the animals and seats after every use, wipe down all fences and railings multiple times a day and have a non-contact system for all (cash and credit) payments. There is virtually no contact between employees, customers and any payment method.
Our employees are good, honest, hardworking and loyal. They are tired of being unemployed and want to get back to work to support themselves and their families. We absolutely don't want anyone to fall ill from Covid, but our employees' lives, livelihoods and spirit are being destroyed by this shutdown. There is no daily count for that.
The Carousel and Bay Plunge benefit the community immensely! Smiles and laughter an excellent way to promote hope. We can give back to a City that has given so much to us.
The Carousel on Pier 39 is a city icon. It is featured in many travel books as a "must see" for San Francisco and many of our customers come to Pier 39 solely to see and ride our Carousel. It is a beautiful piece of joyful, usable, working art. It's loss would be tragic.
The Bay Plunge opened in December of 2019. It is a drop/twirling ride that is themed after the historic Pier 39 divers, with amazing, vibrant artwork. During the short time it was open, it was as popular with our customers as the Carousel.
Our employees livelihoods are endangered and we have hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment loans and lines of credit that time is running out on. Because of the shutdown, they are all currently, or about to be in default and a large insurance payment deadline is quickly approaching. The wolves are at the door. Or goal is to maintain our payroll, service our debt and meet financial obligations until we are open and can stand on our own again.
We have an emotional attachment to our employees, our business and this City. We are working to restore The Carousel, Bay Plunge and the City as a whole so they can once again be the beautiful gems that they are.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support!
As with everyone, the Covid 19 pandemic has hit us hard, and the Carousel and Bay Plunge have been closed for business for since March 16th 2020. On August 18th, 2020 our appeal to open the Carousel was denied by the Health Department without stating any reason, just a 2 line veto. This is so surprising, since we believe our new Covid safety procedures are at a higher standard than even outdoor dining. The Health Department website specifically states “outdoor activities” - fitness and gatherings of 12 or less are allowed to open. Our Covid protocol allows only 12 riders at a time, on a 2 story, outdoor Carousel that seats 50. There are plexiglass barriers installed to protect guests and employees, with social distancing markers and signage in place. Customers are required to wear masks and employees are mandated to wear masks and gloves. We provide separate hand sanitizer locations for employees and customers. We wipe down the animals and seats after every use, wipe down all fences and railings multiple times a day and have a non-contact system for all (cash and credit) payments. There is virtually no contact between employees, customers and any payment method.
Our employees are good, honest, hardworking and loyal. They are tired of being unemployed and want to get back to work to support themselves and their families. We absolutely don't want anyone to fall ill from Covid, but our employees' lives, livelihoods and spirit are being destroyed by this shutdown. There is no daily count for that.
The Carousel and Bay Plunge benefit the community immensely! Smiles and laughter an excellent way to promote hope. We can give back to a City that has given so much to us.
The Carousel on Pier 39 is a city icon. It is featured in many travel books as a "must see" for San Francisco and many of our customers come to Pier 39 solely to see and ride our Carousel. It is a beautiful piece of joyful, usable, working art. It's loss would be tragic.
The Bay Plunge opened in December of 2019. It is a drop/twirling ride that is themed after the historic Pier 39 divers, with amazing, vibrant artwork. During the short time it was open, it was as popular with our customers as the Carousel.
Our employees livelihoods are endangered and we have hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment loans and lines of credit that time is running out on. Because of the shutdown, they are all currently, or about to be in default and a large insurance payment deadline is quickly approaching. The wolves are at the door. Or goal is to maintain our payroll, service our debt and meet financial obligations until we are open and can stand on our own again.
We have an emotional attachment to our employees, our business and this City. We are working to restore The Carousel, Bay Plunge and the City as a whole so they can once again be the beautiful gems that they are.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support!
Fundraising team: Indoor Entertainment (2)
Kathryn Elliott
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
NORA PHILLIPS
Team member
