Toronto bar that tried a fundraiser to survive lockdown has permanently closed
A fundraiser was started by a Toronto bar's regular to try and help them get through lockdown, but sadly the bar has now permanently closed.
Queer dive bar Lipstick & Dynamite closing during Pride Month is especially tragic. A GoFundMe started for the business raised over $23,000 of a lofty $50,000 goal, but it wasn't enough to keep the place open.
The bar posted to Instagram saying that they "got the news this past Friday, and spent the weekend praying for a miracle, but without luck."
"Covid definitely didn't help, but there were other factors as well that prevented us from accessing any assistance the government was offering, and that's what ultimately forced us to close our doors," reads the post.
"Before I took over the bar solo, there were a lot of really sneaky actions that took place that I was unaware of, and even a year of trying to work through them all couldn't undo the damage."
Lipstick & Dynamite owner Celeste Torpedo wishes to keep information about specifically what those "factors" and "sneaky actions" were, but says the money from the GoFundMe was used for rent and bills.
"I do not know what the future of the space will be. Hopefully someone is able to create something positive there. It's a fantastic location and it would be great to see something new and exciting move in," Torpedo tells blogTO.
"I'm still working through the finishing steps of closing the bar, which will take some time, and I do not have any concrete plans for the future. I'd love to open up another place down the road, but nothing is in the works at this time."
Jesse Milns
