Support Portland's beloved gem, Jewel Box

As a fan of Jewel Box, we need to bring our community together to support our favorite gem! With the recent worrisome news, I felt the need to show the support of the community and rally together to help Jewel Box. This fundraiser has been shown to the staff to ensure integrity with funds and they gave their blessing.

Food is culture, food is love. Portland is woven by its restaurants, bars, and the communities that spend their lives in the front and back of house. When Anthony Bourdain visited Maine to feed his appetite, he said "There are a few essential elements you find in the spirit of a Mainer; a humble appreciation of crafted things, wit dry enough you may not know when the joke ends and when it begins, and most importantly a love for the land and the sea".

And above most, we love our food and drink.

Since the pandemic, we have been losing our restaurants and bars left and right which directly impacts hardworking Mainers and the lovely folks that frequent these establishments with friends, for food and drink, or to nourish something in the soul.

The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box, or Jewel Box, is one of the many lovely establishments in Portland. It is nestled on a busy stretch of Congress St. with tinted windows that reflect passersby maintain mystique. You may not even know its there if it weren't for the occasional groups outside taking a breather in the crisp evening air or the door propped open on Wednesdays for some of the best karaoke voices you've ever heard. However, this gem is one of the best and safest spots I've personally had the pleasure of frequenting.

The owner, Nan'l, has been a part of nourishing this food scene for decades. From another beloved establishment Forestreet, to the beloved Jewel Box, he has contributed to the incredible culture of food, drink, and community for a long time now, and it's time to show your love and support for this work.

The community has so much love in its heart for this spot and right now it needs your support. As we all are in this financial storm that has hit us, Jewel Box needs some love to get by until the world is in a most stable spot. If you help now, this lovely place will be here with open arms once things settle.

Jewel Box is a safe haven for many Portlanders, especially the Maine LGBTQIA+ community. I for one, my close community as well, has always felt welcomed and loved in this space. Our lives have been nourished by the community Jewel Box forms outside of its identity as a bar. From fundraising events held in the space, to hosting local talent, to movies nights, teaching you how to bartend, and being a spot to form relationships and friendships alike, Jewel Box has been there for us all.

Please donate today to keep this Jewel in Portland alive!