In an email to Community Impact, Stonewall Warehouse owner Jamie Frailicks shared a statement regarding the abrupt closure and the factors that played a role in the decision.
Following months of deliberation and negotiations, Frailicks decided "it was in the best interest of my family and the future of my career" to sell Stonewall Warehouse and is deeply saddened by the decision.
“After years of trying to improve a failing business, I thought best to take this opportunity and move forward,” Frailicks wrote. “I know Stonewall meant a lot to the LGBTQ community ... and I have dedicated eight years of my life to its cause.”
He added within the service industry, the potential of no tomorrow is too great.
“The day you announce better be the day you close,” Frailicks said.
While there was no notice ahead of the closure to staff, he added all staff have been promised two weeks’ pay beyond the closure. A GoFundMe was created Jan. 2 to support the staff of Stonewall, which has now almost reached $10,000.
"The portrayal that I left the staff high and dry is just simply not true," Frailicks said. "We all have tough decisions to make in life. I wish this was a situation where everyone wins. Regrettably, no one has."
