Y Knot Save This Restaurant
We have included a video of Karen & Doug telling their story: HERE
Karen & Doug Novak launched their Y Knot Restaurant and Bar in Old Orchard Beach, Maine in June after two attempts to open in April and May.
When Karen & Doug found the perfect building for their restaurant, bar and social gathering space, they did not know there was a pandemic that would come just as they were about to open their doors. The building, complete with arcade-game room, pool table and full bar, was set to be an event space where friends, family and strangers could gather together to watch live music, eat a good meal and have fun.
In April, as Y Knot was about to open, the situation in Maine was evolving and our governor was forced to close the door of most gathering spaces, including Y Knot. Karen & Doug are creative, however, and pushed on, offering take out and making an outdoor dining space.
As restrictions have eased, Y Knot has been able to open their doors once again, but they are not entitled to funding from government sources, as they opened DURING the pandemic, therefore they have not lost any sales and were not able to claim losses over previous years.
They have not been able to allow their space to be used for gathering or live music, and have focused their energies on the dining aspect of their restaurant. Being new, in a highly seasonal area, they are struggling to pay basic utilities to keep their doors open and still owe balances on pre-opening construction projects.
Karen & Doug have a vision beyond Y Knot; The Tyler House.
After winning the fight against brain cancer, their son Tyler, has had an upward battle with a range of health concerns. Karen & Doug worry about their son’s future, especially now, and wanted to open Y Knot to support their funding of an adult living facility to ensure people like Tyler would have a safe and healthy place to spend their lives independently. The goal is to have a men’s house, a women’s house and a common house to share. The Tyler House would be a project centered on independent living, offering jobs so household members would be able to be a part of the larger community, such as a hardware store or ice cream parlor.
We are asking for immediate support for Y Knot Restaurant and Bar, to keep the dream alive. We would be grateful for any help as we try to find creative solutions to assist this family & dream in their time of greatest need. If you are able to stop in for a bite, make sure you say HI!
