The Little Lion in Old City recently suffered damage due to a four-alarm fire in the neighboring buildings. As a result, the restaurant will be temporarily closed for two months while repairs and renovations are being made.
“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,” Younge added. “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.”
In the meantime, The Little Lion will present an Old City Fire Benefit to raise money for employees while the restaurant is closed due to the fire. This extraordinary fundraiser will be held on Sunday, March 4, from 1–5 p.m., at Mad Rex Restaurant and Virtual Reality Lounge.
The owners of Mad Rex, the world’s first post-apocalypse-themed restaurant, are donating their space, their staff and Mad Rex IPA to help a fellow restaurant and its employees in a time of need. In fact, many establishments are coming together to help lend a hand: In addition to Mad Rex, Sysco and more than 20 restaurants, bars and breweries will be donating food and drink offerings to the event. Donors include the following establishments:
- 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
- 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
- Taproom on 19th
Enjoy an evening out at Mad Rex and lend a hand to those experiencing hardship due to the recent fire. Tickets to attend the benefit are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. With the admission fee, guests will enjoy lite bites, two drinks, DJ music, entertainment, silent auction and 10 minutes of free virtual reality. For those who wish to bump up the experience a bit, VIP tickets are also available for $75 and include unlimited drinks.
Tickets are now available via the Go Fund Me page, where you will also have the ability to make outright donations to the cause.
Younge said, “We are so grateful for all the texts, messages and calls. This is definitely not the last roar for The Little Lion – we will be back and be better than ever. We will simply be hibernating for a period of time while we access and make repairs and fix our historic space. We poured our heart and soul into bringing new life to this corner of 3rd and Chestnut – and we have been honored to host thousands each week for dinner, drinks, brunch and special occasions. We aim to try to open in time for Mother’s Day and late spring wedding season, but once we are inside we can give a better sense of timing.”
For anyone with temporary positions for employees, please contact Younge direct at [email protected] or (267) 971-9341.
- Photo: Pixabay
