Barstool Gives Boost To Struggling Mystic Colonial Inn

MYSTIC, CT — The Barstool Fund has come to the rescue of another Connecticut establishment that's fallen on hard times. The Captain Daniel Packer Inne in downtown Mystic is described as a 150-seat restaurant with 45 employees.

The restaurant posted on Facebook: "Words cannot express our gratitude to The Barstool Fund & El Presidente (Barstool founder David Portnoy) himself!! This past year has been trying for the entire restaurant industry, the support & community that has emerged is truly inspiring!"

The Barstool Fund has raised more than $37 million to support small businesses during the pandemic.

The Daniel Packer Inne was originally built in 1754 and opened by Richard and Lulu Kiley in 1979.

Allison Kiley Nasin, general manager, wrote on Barstool's site: "My parents had a vision to make this a historic restaurant. Over the next 4 years, my father rebuilt this old Inne with his own hands! With little money, our family lived on the 3rd floor of the newly opened restaurant and pub."

Over the years, the Daniel Packer Inne, known to locals as the "DPI," became a key fixture in the community. "My father always ran the DPI as a place where locals would gather and we continue to keep that vibe," Kiley Nasin wrote. "Sadly, in 2001 my father passed away unexpectedly. I returned from college at 23 years old to help my mother run the family business. In 2005, I became the General Manager and have been successfully operating it since."

She said that shutdowns and reduced capacity have hurt the business and made it difficult to stay operational.

"It breaks my heart to tell staff members, who are more like family, that we’re not busy enough for them to come in for a shift. The shutdowns, reduced capacity, and keeping staff employed has been incredibly challenging. Each day we are open costs us money. Despite being at half capacity, some bills like electric, insurance, dues and fees have not decreased. We make hard decisions daily and many phone calls with our vendors to accept minimal payment, trying to hold on until things return to normal.

"We are in desperate need of a lifeline to keep our family business as a Mystic institution."

Other Connecticut establishments that have received assistance from Barstool include the Red Rock Tavern in Hartford and The New York Pickle Deli in Rocky Hill.

To donate to the Barstool Fund to help small businesses in need, go here.

See related: Rocky Hill Restaurant Gets Boost From Barstool Sports

Struggling Hartford Restaurant Receives Large Donation