Our next True Story from Hell is about the legacy of inclusiveness that our founders left to us all. Our fearless leader Mitch grew up in a household of incredibly wonderful people fueled by the warmth of inclusivity. One day, for example, we came to work and found that Mitch had posted a handwritten sign on our back kitchen door that said, “When Robert asks for a leftover sandwich, do NOT give him any leftovers. Instead, prepare a fresh sandwich for him, pile it high, and include all the sides we’d normally include for paying guests.”
On Dec 18, 2015, the very same day Mitch suddenly died after a long illness, an inconsolable Cyn (his wife and HK co-founder) drove downtown, hopped out of her car, and flagged down a couple pushing a stroller in the freezing cold near the Greyhound Bus Terminal. Sobbing, she told them, “My husband just died and I know he’d want me to do this.” She then gave the stunned couple a fistful of wadded up bills along with every last penny that she had dug out of Mitch’s pockets.
In addition to private moments of inclusivity such as these, we’re most proud about our public support for the LGBTQIA+ community, which has always been loud and unwavering. Our fondest memory is from years ago when the state finally passed a bill to allow same sex marriages. Mitch and Cyn instantly decided that Hell’s Kitchen would throw a free wedding to celebrate. Astonishingly, the minute we posted on social media that we would provide the space, the dinner, the wedding cake, and all the staff to make it happen, a tsunami of additional support came from photographers, florists, event planners, and videographers, all offering their services for free as well.
So, as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we want to say how honored we feel to be a place of celebration for LGBTQIA+ events over the years. Our Drag Brunches, Weddings, Private Events, and of course our Pride Parade Balloon Brigades have given our Employee Owners so many cherished memories. Thank you for sharing your community with us, for trusting us, for seeing us as a safe place, and for supporting us so fiercely over the past 2 decades. We hold you dear to our hearts, and hope to continue being a place of inclusivity and celebration for years to come.