Cheer Up Charlies, a beloved LGBTQ+ venue in Austin, faced the threat of closure due to substantial back rent owed to its landlord.
On August 21, the bar made a heartfelt plea on Instagram, stating that unless they raised $58,000 in donations, they would have to shut their doors by the end of the month.
“We didn’t want to be one of those places whose legacy was that they just let the landlords lock them out without trying to save the place or give the public any notice,” the post emphasized.
In a remarkable show of community support, Cheer Up Charlies surpassed its fundraising goal in just 22 hours, ensuring its doors would remain open.
Oscar Garza Topete, a frequent patron and recent UT graduate, expressed his support, stating, “It just goes to show the impact that they have on the community and the space that they hold for all sorts of people. It is very surprising, but it also isn’t at the same time.”
Maggie Lea, one of the co-owners and a UT alumna, highlighted that the venue’s troubles began back in June.
She initially hesitated to worry about rent until August 1, when she anticipated receiving her refund from the Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program — a government initiative designed to assist venues with tax refunds on drink sales.
However, when the refund proved to be insufficient, Lea was informed by her landlord that Cheer Up Charlies had only ten days to cover the difference before being forced to list the property for sale.
In response, Lea called a staff meeting to discuss the bar’s uncertain future.
“I don’t feel comfortable as a for-profit business going out and asking for fundraising help,” she confessed.
After discussing the situation with her employees, they urged her to seek help, saying, “It’s our last shot.”
This situation is not entirely new for Cheer Up Charlies, as they had previously organized a crowdfunding event in 2024 to help with expenses before receiving a grant.
In light of the recent fundraising efforts, some social media users expressed concerns regarding the treatment of employees and performers.
Lea acknowledged that 30 to 40 employee paychecks bounced in the past year but clarified that these issues were resolved within minutes through electronic payments.
Despite the past bumps, Lea expressed gratitude for the community support that has allowed them to address financial obligations and ensure the bar’s survival.
She noted that any surplus from the fundraiser would be allocated to payroll and other necessary initiatives.
Looking ahead, Lea and co-owner Tamara Hoover are in discussions with potential investors to transition Cheer Up Charlies into a more publicly owned company through shareholding options.
This move is aimed at creating a more robust management structure to handle future emergencies more effectively.
“Cheer Up Charlies started as a small local DIY place, but it has grown into a much larger operation,” Lea remarked.
She added, “The responsibility of it falling on our shoulders, if it ever was to close, is such a huge responsibility.”
With the swift response from the community, Cheer Up Charlies continues to thrive as a vital part of Austin’s cultural fabric.
image source from：thedailytexan
