GA Bar Donates $3,700 On Walls To Employees

TYBEE ISLAND, GA — Once The Sand Bar on Tybee Island reopens after the coronavirus passes, customers will notice quite a few things missing - the dollar bills on the walls.

Owner Jennifer Knox posted on Facebook March 27 that she was using the money customers left on the bar's walls to give back to employees after the bar closed its doors March 24.

Gov. Brian Kemp ordered all bars to close on March 24, along with banning groups of more than 10 people.

"The Sand Bar is going to have a fresh new look, while giving back at the same time!" Knox wrote on Facebook. "We are taking down the dollar bills!! And donating all the money to our bartenders and musicians that need it! Figure, we got money (on the walls), and we got time!! So excited for this Labor of Love. And a good spring cleaning!!"

“We were sitting there doors locked and I’m like oh my gosh, ‘there’s money on the walls and we have time on our hands,” Knox said to CNN. “‘We gotta get this money down.' I can't just sit here and do nothing. I'll do what I can for my people."

Knox and five volunteers took the next three days to take the money down and count it, totaling $3,714. Several people donated, bumping the total up to $4,104, which was split between four bartenders and two musicians who were each given $600.

After gaining notoriety on several news segments, Knox set up a Venmo account. The bar, which has been open for 15 years, has been owned by Knox for six years as of March 31.

"I’ve set up a Venmo account, not only for my employees and musicians, but any other service industry person on Tybee that needs the help," Knox wrote online. "If you are feeling called to donate, here’s how. 100% is going to the people. We will get through this! And I can’t wait to sling some drinks for you all soon!!!"