Philadelphia, PA - The Little Lion will present an Old City Fire Benefit to raise money for employees while the restaurant is closed due to the four-alarm fire in neighboring buildings in Old City. The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, at Mad Rex Restaurant and Virtual Reality Lounge at 1000 Frankford Avenue.
The owners of Mad Rex, the world's first post-apocalypse themed restaurant, are donating their space, staff and Mad Rex IPA to help a fellow restaurant and its employees in a time of need. Mad Rex, Sysco and over 20+ restaurants, bars and breweries are donating food and drink to the event. Tickets to the benefit are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Tickets include lite bites, two drinks, DJ, entertainment, silent auction and 10 minutes of free virtual reality. VIP tickets are also available for $75 and include unlimited drinks. For tickets and donations, please visit the Go Fund Me page at: https://www.gofundme.com/thelittlelion
"As you may know, The Little Lion was affected by the four alarm fire in Old City in the neighboring buildings to us on the Chestnut Street side of our restaurant," said owner Chris Younge. "Our hearts go out to the numerous neighbors, tenants and visitors that were displaced, as well as to the owners of the pets that lost their lives in the fire. While the fire itself was in the neighboring buildings, The Little Lion is greatly affected as we share a common wall and various elements of the building with the buildings that contained the fire. As of this week, The Little Lion will be temporarily closed for an estimate of at least two months. We have not been formally allowed inside the restaurant to access the damage, begin drying out and making repairs. The last information we have is that the buildings near us are also still in a collapse zone."
The damage to The Little Lion will be fully reviewed when the owners are allowed back inside. At this time, they are aware of significant water damage to at least one if not both of the kitchens, the mezzanine and the basement level. Younge added, "We sustained major water damage to the back half and lower levels of the building - but the final look at damage will happen in the coming days. City and fire officials are focused on the safety and stability of the neighboring properties at the moment, and during that period we are waiting patiently. Again, we do not have more information and hope to have more updates to share next week."
While The Little Lion is temporarily closed, Younge and his business partner Jason Dills want to take good care of The Little Lion family and staff. "We have over 80 employees and we are seeking temporary placements for them at fellow restaurants, bars and other businesses. We have had a number of generous offers and other restaurant leaders are stepping up to help - and we are working day and night to work with them to help our team. We also want to host a benefit to help them through this time and loss of income," added Younge.
The Old City Fire Benefit event will take place at Mad Rex in Fishtown. Mad Rex's owners and team have offered full use of their venue to help out the Old City restaurant. The event will take place from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Guests will enjoy food and drink donated by over 20+ restaurants, bars and breweries in the region. Special thanks to Sysco for donating food for the event - which Little Lion staff will help prepare. The full list of participating spots at this time includes:
- Brauhaus Schmitz
- BRU Craft & Wurst
- Cinder Copper & Lace
- Devil's Alley
- Dim Sum House
- Jane G's by Dim Sum House
- La Virgen de las Nieves Mexican Restaurant
- Los Gallos Mexican Taqueria
- Mad Rex Restaurant and Virtual Reality Lounge
- Mike's BBQ
- Mole Poblano
- Nick's Bar and Grille
- Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti
- P'unk Burger
- Puyero Venezuelan Flavor
- Revolution Taco & 33rd Street Hospitality Catering
- River Horse Brewing Company
- SliCE Fishtown
- Smokin' Betty's
- Sysco
Pricing for the benefit is as follows:
* General admission $35 in advance or $45 at the door - includes lite bites, two drinks, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, 10 minutes free virtual reality on location, 10 minutes free virtual reality in future, DJ, silent auction and entertainment.
* VIP admission $75 in advance or at the door - includes lite bites, unlimited drinks, unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, 10 minutes free virtual reality on location, 10 minutes free virtual reality in future, DJ, silent auction and entertainment.
Sponsorship are also available that include Little Lion t-shirts, dinner for two when Little Lion re-opens, an exclusive private tasting dinner and drinks for 8 people, and more.
For tickets, donations and sponsorship packages, visit:
http://www.gofundme.com/thelittlelion/
