Bar owner pulls $3,700 off walls to give to unemployed staff

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. — A bar owner found an opportunity to give back to her unemployed staff during the coronavirus pandemic, and the inspiration was right in front of her face -- and above her head-- the entire time.

Jennifer Knox’s bar and restaurant, the Sand Bar -- located in Tybee Island, Georgia -- had to close its doors after officials put a mandatory stay-at-home order in place.

With tourists no longer flooding the bar, Knox’s employees were now out of a job.

As she sat in her empty bar at the end of March, Knox told CNN that she looked around and realized there was money stapled to the walls -- money she could use to give her unemployed staff.

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For nearly 15 years, customers have been writing on dollar bills and stapling them on the bar’s walls and ceilings.

Knox said it took nearly four days and five volunteers to gently remove the stapled bills. Some of the bills had been on the walls for over a decade and some came from countries around the world.

After the bills were taken down, it took about a week and a half to clean them off. $3,714 in stapled cash was collected, according to CNN.

After hearing about Knox’s act of kindness, a few customers chipped in to help. The bar owner was able to give $4,104 to her staff, according to CNN. Four bartenders and two musicians each were reportedly given $600.

In the spirit of giving, one of the bartenders decided to donate her portion to another Tybee Island bartender. Knox wants to continue to give back to the small island’s service staff and is accepting donations.

>> We’ll bring you LIVE updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. Get extended coverage on the free WSOC Now app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

While a fresh coat of bright colored paint replaced the wallpaper of dollar bills, the small business owner said she is trying to find a new way for customers to leave their mark when all is over.

*CNN contributed to this report*

SEE: Bar owner removes cash covering walls to help out of work staff during coronavirus shutdown SEE: Bar owner removes cash covering walls to help out of work staff during coronavirus shutdown

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