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Barstool small business fund helping multiple local restaurants stay afloat during COVID-19 pandemic

PITTSBURGH — The Barstool Fund is helping a barbecue joint and bar in Pittsburgh with a financial donation to get through the pandemic.

Z-Best BBQ Chicken and Ribs, located on Fifth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh, has been serving up homemade meals since 2010. Darwin Copeland and his family are long time residents of the Hill District, and their website says they take pride in “being positive contributors to the Pittsburgh neighborhood.”

Their menu includes chicken wings, ribs, wing dings, fish sandwich, pulled pork, baked beans, sweet potatoes, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, french fries and dessert.

The Barstool Fund is a fundraising effort launched by Dave Portnoy to help small businesses across the country. More than $33 million has been raised so far, and has been donated to 200 businesses. Penn National Gaming has helped cover the cost for a few of the businesses in Pennsylvania.

A bar in Westview is having a hard time keeping up with its bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the owners told Channel 11 all of that will change thanks to the same fund from Barstool.

Howard’s Tavern has been in part owners Rachel and Derek Bovill’s family for three generations. They said the pandemic, along with the restrictions, almost put them out of business.

Derek Bovill said the $7,500 Barstool helped raise will help them pay rent and take care of other bills for the bar and their families.

“We’ve got to give it our all and try to get involved and do what we can to try to save the place, and fortunately that came through for us in a huge way,” said Bovill. “And every single person that donates came through in a huge way – whether it be $1, whether it be whatever they can afford – everyone out there is making a significant impact on people’s lives.”

CLICK HERE to contribute to the fund