Fundraiser To Save Hell's Kitchen Cafe Zooms Past $300K

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — The owner of a beloved cafe-theater in Hell's Kitchen said he feels astonished after a campaign to save his business shot past its fundraising goal within days, likely allowing it to survive the coming winter.

"I’m stunned," said Steve Olsen, owner of the West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre. "Overwhelmed by the love I’ve received from 3,000 donors and customers and artists and the whole theater community."

Weeks ago, Olsen, who opened the cafe in 1978, said the West Bank was likely to close imminently as it faced mounting debts and a steep drop-off in customers. By Tuesday, though, the online fundraiser had raised more than $330,000, shooting past its initial goal of $250,000.

Donations came pouring in shortly after the campaign was announced by Tom D'Angora, a Broadway producer and longtime customer. But things took off on Christmas Day, thanks to a star-studded, nine-hour telethon, featuring speeches and performances by Sean Penn, Nathan Lane, Pete Townshend, Debra Messing, Andre De Shields and dozens more performers who have called themselves West Bank regulars during its 42-year history.

Olsen said Tuesday that the money raised would allow him to pay off the cafe's debts and save some cash for the future. But he is well aware that many of the city's restaurants will not be so lucky, as they face a dismal winter and a lack of help from the federal government. In recent days, he's been thinking over the words of Sean Penn, a longtime friend, who spoke during Friday's telethon.

"What [Penn] said about when the virus is over, we need to come back — there needs to be something to come back to," Olsen said. "The institutions."

Olsen may close the West Bank for a while during the lowest months of winter, in order to come back strongly when the weather warms up next spring. He won't be lacking for a way to pass the time.

"I’m going to probably spend the rest of the pandemic writing thank you notes to the 3,200 people that donated," he laughed.

Related coverage:

• Star-Studded Telethon To Save Hell's Kitchen Cafe: Watch Here
• West Bank Cafe, Storied Hell's Kitchen Venue, Tries To Survive