Local businesses help former Old Pink employees

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Nearly two weeks have passed since the Old Pink in Allentown burned down. Now, other Buffalo bars are doing what they can to help former employees get back on their feet.

Paul Baggs, the manager of Mulligan’s Brick Bar, was notified of the fire just hours after it happened. He had just returned home from closing his establishment when he started seeing images appearing online.

Baggs knew he wanted to help in any way he could. He described the Allen Street businesses as a close-knit community.

“Some people think the Old Pink was one type of bar and Mulligan’s was very different,” Baggs said. “The reality is we always had a shared crowd. People would go out and have a few drinks, then they would get hungry and want a steak sandwich, so they would go next door or vice versa.”

Baggs said a lot was going through his mind when he finally arrived at the scene of the fire. At first, he worried about the damage to Mulligan. After realizing the fire was under control, he started thinking about everyone affected, including the Old Pink employees.

“You don’t expect to lose your job like that,” Baggs said. “Maybe someone needs money right away. It’s the end of the month, people have to pay their rent.”

After discussion with the bar owner, it was decided that Mulligan’s would now be open 7 days a week. The business had been operating five days a week since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Mulligan’s wanted to make up for the loss of the Old Pink, which was formerly open every day.

The bar also hired two former Old Pink bartenders, a guard and a bouncer. With these extended hours, business is booming. Baggs said the response from Buffalons has been indescribable.

“We get credit for doing all of this, but it was remarkably easy because you just work with what you have,” Baggs said. “We had a little wiggle room and we just helped.”

Mulligan’s isn’t the only establishment making a “good neighbor” gesture.

Cole’s, located on Elmwood Avenue, has added a steak sandwich to its menu called “The Ode to the Old Pink.” It’s a 12-ounce slice of sirloin with red peppers and onions simmered in Guinness, topped with provolone cheese and served with fries and a pickle.

Cole’s is donating 25% of the profits made from the sale of the $30 sandwich to Old Pink employees. The restaurant has already raised $1,000.

“People have been talking to us about it. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback,” said Tim Wornick, Cole’s executive chef. “We’ve probably sold about 180 of them so far and we’re going to continue to do so through the end of next week.”

A GoFundMe has also been created to help raise money for the business. As of Friday, it had raised more than $48,000. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.