Illusions Magic Bar Gets Donation from ‘The Famous Fund’
Jimmy’s Famous Seafood launched a GoFundMe earlier this month to support local restaurants struggling during Baltimore City’s dining shutdown which was in place until last week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants are still only allowed to have 25 percent indoor capacity and 50 percent outdoor capacity with one-hour time limits for customers.
The successful GoFundMe campaign, which was later named The Famous Fund, now stands at $318,657. It has been egged on by celebrity investor Marcus Lemonis, who initially donated $20,000 and pledged another $20,000 when the fund hit $200,000. He came through on that promise and is willing to donate another $20,000 if it hits $350,000. Contributors to the fund include the Orioles, Ravens, local athletes, local restaurants from the city and surrounding counties, food suppliers and distributors from the area, and individual citizens.
The initial recipients of funds were South Baltimore bars Shotti’s Point Charm City and Sliders Bar & Grille, in addition to The Chasseur, G&A Restaurant, and The Angle Inn. With The Famous Fund growing, new businesses are being nominated and the latest recipient is Federal Hill’s Illusions Magic Bar, which received a $15,000 donation.
Illusions Co-owner Spencer Horsman got a FaceTime call from TJ Smith, a board member of the The Famous Fund, with the news. He was overcome with emotion and noted that since his business doesn’t have a kitchen, it has always been the first type of business shut down and the last to be able to reopen.
Horsman and his late father Ken Horsman turned their former magic shop into Illusions 13 years ago.
Former Locust Point restaurant The Urban Oyster, which still has a catering, event, and farmers market business, was also selected to receive a $15,000 donation.
Illusions receiving the call The Famous Fund
The #FamousFund call to Illusions Magic Bar. @SpencerHorsman’s family has been serving Baltimore for 13 years, and 5 years alone since his father’s death. @TJSmithBmore delivered the good news!
We are changing lives! This is a movement. Please donate now! https://t.co/5jv0dVzA1p pic.twitter.com/7H9cx30xjD
— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) January 23, 2021
Shotti’s Point receiving the call from The Famous Fund
The next business we are helping is Shotti’s Point Charm City. Lisa & Mike have been proudly serving Baltimore City for nearly a decade! @ofarevolution’s Benj Gershman made the call!
Every dollar counts! Please donate to The #FamousFund & save our city!https://t.co/5jv0dVzA1p pic.twitter.com/xgPueI2PqW
— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) January 26, 2021
The Urban Oyster receiving the call from The Famous Fund
The South Baltimore Now Podcast Latest Episodes Produced by Nathan Carper: https://www.natecarpercreative.com🦪 Urban Oyster gets the call for The #FamousFund! This hard-working business is down 84%. Huge thanks to WWE Intercontinental Champ (and all-around amazing human) @WWEBigE for breaking the good news!
💜 Every dollar counts! Please donate today! https://t.co/5jv0dVzA1p pic.twitter.com/hlH2xt1csG
— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) January 28, 2021
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
