After Restaurant Fire, Anne Arundel County Raises Nearly $70K For Eatery

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Anne Arundel County residents have raised nearly $70,000 for an Annapolis restaurant that burned last week.

The fundraisers are just some of the ways that the community has banded together to help Sailor Oyster Bar, which is temporarily closed while the owners make repairs. Other businesses have hosted events and sold merchandise to support Sailor.

"Thank you for all the calls, texts, donations and gifts," Owners Gabrielle and Scott Herbst said on Instagram. "The support for the crew that makes Sailor so special is incredible."

The Fundraisers

Three GoFundMe campaigns have raised a combined $68,743.

Melissa Lauren and Nicole Berg have hauled in $52,684 across 527 donations. Dave Lutz has gathered $15,709 from 122 contributions. And Jennifer Callaway has collected $350 from five donors.

The links to those fundraisers are posted below:

• Melissa Lauren and Nicole Berg: Sailor Oyster Bar Fire Relief Fund
• Dave Lutz: Sailor Oyster Bar
• Jennifer Callaway: Sailor Oyster Bar & Affected Businesses

"We all know and love Sailor Oyster Bar," Lutz said on his fundraiser page. "Let's help the employees get through this tough time, and help Scotty and his team get those doors open again as soon as possible."

Repairs could take at least 12 to 15 months, Bay Weekly estimated.

In the meantime, Garry's Grill in Severna Park donated 20 percent of its Thursday sales to Sailor. Rise Up Coffee is also giving a portion of its Friday sales to the restaurant.

Other restoration efforts include:

• A Love Struck Tattoo fundraiser on Saturday
• A Heroes Pub fundraiser on Monday
• A Tsunami industry prom on June 25
• A Yoga Factory Annapolis buti glow class on June 30
• Heroes Pub and BLK ANKR T-shirt sales
• Naptown Scoop T-shirt sales
• Julia Deckman Studio prints of Sailor Oyster Bar
• A Tiger Lily cocktail special

The Fire

Improperly discarded smoking materials caused the accidental blaze at Sailor Oyster Bar, the Annapolis Fire Department announced Monday evening.

"The Annapolis Fire Department would like to commend all who acted swiftly by quickly dialing 9-1-1," the agency said in a press release. "Thanks to your immediate actions, injury, loss of life, and further property damage was avoided."

Officials have not yet determined the value of the property lost in the June 8 fire. A photo of the damage is posted below.

"The fast-acting Annapolis Fire Department and team at Sailor that made sure nobody was hurt are the real heroes," the eatery said on Instagram.

Multiple callers reported the blaze at 196 West Street around 8 p.m., the Annapolis Fire Department said.

First responders said they found heavy flames at the back of the two-story building in the middle of the row.

A team of about 60 firefighters controlled the blaze in roughly 55 minutes, a press release said.

Authorities are still investigating what caused the two-alarm fire.

Officials said the building had functioning smoke detectors.

The Annapolis Fire Department thanked these stations for assisting its response:

• Anne Arundel County Fire Department
• Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fire Department

Editor's Note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Related:

• Cause Of Sailor Oyster Bar Blaze Announced By Annapolis Fire Officials
• Sailor Oyster Bar Burns In Annapolis, Neighbors Offer Support: Report