Birdie's Kitchen Power Turned Off, Community Power Put It Back On

This story was updated on Oct. 6.

Birdie's Kitchen will be up and running on Thursday. "I’ll be open in full tomorrow, through the weekend," owner Blair Watts told Patch on Wednesday. In five days, 77 donors had given $4,220 to the Birdie's Kitchen GoFundMe. Watts said he was "super emotional over the support" he received.

SPRING CITY, PA — If you're from Spring City or Royersford, you might recognize Blair Watts' truck when he comes and goes from Birdie's Kitchen, loading up the borough's best wings along with collard greens and other soul food ingredients that, in a short time, have earned him a reputation for great eats.

But this weekend as Spring City holds its 15th annual Music and Market Festival, the restaurant the town said makes Spring City's Best Wings is temporarily closed. The electricity was turned off two days ago, as owner Watts was catching up on pandemic arrears on a payment arrangement. PECO said he had to pay the $3,600 he owned in full immediately or lose power.

"The Music Fest would have put me in the positive," said Watts. "But, I have no power," he told Patch Friday.

He's been hauling product in his truck from the restaurant at 60 N. Main St. in Spring City to his home refrigerator so it doesn't spoil, he said.

Watts opened shop in January 2020, on his 30th birthday. "I went into business with no help of any kind, just support from my mom and a close friend 19 months ago."

"Then on March 16, the whole world went to crap," he said. Birdie's got behind on the electric bill; Watts owed $8,000 at one point. He started working side jobs to get it paid down.

"I set up a payment arrangement, had it down to $3,600," he said. "But then I missed one payment, so the arrangement ended and I had to pay it all at once."

If it seems unlikely that someone who's paid off nearly $5,000 in debt would suddenly just miss a payment, it probably is unlikely. Watts said he sent an electronic payment that was declined because his bank's routing number had changed when the bank restructured and changed hands.

"I'm a little guy. I didn't know that," he said.

PECO spokesperson Tom Brubaker told Patch that PECO understands businesses have been impacted and they have been working "to help the power through the pandemic." He said business customers can set up plans to spread out payments over 24 months, to help them catch up.

"Termination of service is always a last resort," he said. Brubaker explained that if PECO does need to terminate service for nonpayment, it gives 10 days' notice and then leaves a notice at a property 72 hours before service is shut off.

PECO's website states it offers payment programs to those who meet a list of qualifications that includes having an account balance of less than $3,000. See the full list here.

Meanwhile, Watts said friends have put up a GoFundMe page to help him get the bill caught up and power restored. In one day, the site garnered $2,434 of its $3,100 goal, mostly in small donations.

Watts posted on a Birdie's Kitchen social media page, "Yesterday I almost gave up. But pushing through this pandemic with no government assistance or grants has been the hardest thing I've done ever. But with my pride to the side, I'm asking for a hand up or for a simple free share of this post so that I can continue my dream and progress in my community. ...I'm thankful for the great people around me."

Grants are out there, he explained, saying he's applied for almost a dozen. "I've applied for so many grants, I'm tired; they ask for so much information, then they say you don't qualify for some reason."

"I've been disapproved for 10 or 12," he said. "Because Chester County is wealthier, maybe they don't see us as needing money like other places."

Brubaker points business to PECO's Crisis Support for Businesses page that explains resources available.

Watts said he's applied for an overnight security job to hold him over. "Day care and other costs don't go away." The father of small children said he's the son of a single mother from Philly and "knows what it is to bust my (butt)."

He said customers have called, checking on him, and say they are praying. "I'm appreciative. I've worked hard before, but this is a bigger hit than I've taken before. I'm trying to stay positive."

Birdie's Kitchen was making it through the pandemic — minus making the PECO bill — by making just enough of what people wanted, Watts said.

"I hustled and got really creative through the pandemic," he said. He said he portioned out enough each day for sales of $440 — the amount needed to pay the bills. "I set that as a goal and kept to things people really liked."

Birdie's "Good Food and Good Vibes" serves up classic American dishes such as chicken and waffles, a Cajun fish platter — and, of course, the wings Spring City voted as best in town during a recent community event. The "dings" and mac and cheese are very popular, as are the large portions. One reviewer over the summer wrote, "First time a Birdies tonight. Great tasting cheeseburger. Tater tots and fries were awesome. Shrimp tacos were fantastic and delicious. Dessert of mouthwatering strawberry crunch cheesecake topped off the meal. Must visit if you are going thru Spring City."

"People have been very encouraging," he said. The Facebook post explaining the GoFundMe has been shared 85 times in a day.

By Wednesday, five days after this story was published, 77 donors had given $4,220 to the Birdie's Kitchen GoFundMe and it had been shared 226 times.

Birdie's Kitchen will be up and running on Thursday. "I’ll be open in full tomorrow thru the week weekend," owner Blair Watts told Patch on Wednesday.

He added, "I absolutely appreciate everyone that contributed. (I'm) literally super emotional over the support."

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