Community Action Saves Popie Redd's Barbecue on Juneteenth

Popie Wilson, the owner, was served an eviction notice by the Allegheny County Sheriff's Department to vacate his space at the Braddock Hills Shopping Center by June 28 due to unpaid rent for more than a year. He owed roughly $35,000 to American Reality, so part one of the plan was Salisbury organizing a small business rescue team to renegotiate his lease, raise $10,000 to put toward his debt, and devise a business plan for the restaurant moving forward. Wilson was behind on rent because pipes burst in the ceiling of the restaurant in January 2023 when temperatures dropped to below zero, causing a major flood in the building.

She mentioned that in every one of these storefronts, you see communities, a dream, and a human, and they have to keep promoting those. The burst pipes caused Wilson to pay more than $20,000 out of pocket for repairs, which drained his cash flow and his ability to pay rent for more than a year. This led to the eviction notice from the sheriff's department.

He was struggling after the flood, and he had no idea that he was having a hard time. A team was organized to help reorganize his business structure, renegotiate a lease with the landlord, and raise $10,000 to avoid eviction. Wednesday is a Juneteenth benefit for Poppy Ridge Barbecue at the restaurant, with free dinners for the first 150 patrons who leave a donation. Salisbury is paying the bill and promoting a Black-owned barbecue business on Juneteenth. Wilson expressed how grateful he is for the community's support and the opportunity to work with a team to make his business grow. He is determined to keep the barbecue smoke rising for a long time.

In conclusion, the community's support has been instrumental in saving Popie Redd's Barbecue from closure. The efforts led by Salisbury have not only prevented eviction but have also provided a lifeline for Wilson's business. The upcoming Juneteenth benefit serves as a celebration of community unity and support for a Black-owned business, showcasing the power of coming together to make a difference.