When you walk into PJ’s Oyster Bar on St. Pete Beach, Florida, you’re greeted by the mascot, PJ — a live parrot in a cage.
Then you see the thousands of dollar bills plastered on every wall, covered in signatures and doodles.
And every one of them has a story.
Restaurant patrons post $1 bills to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, family trees and first dates.
“There was a couple who had a blind date [here],” remembers manager Beverly McGahan. “They’ve now been married for eight years. They come in every year, sit in the same booth and put their dollar bill up.”
Celebrities know the drill, too.
Former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Tom Andrews signed a dollar in 1985. It’s still there, next to his picture. Singer John Prine left a bill for his fans. Even Batman has left his mark.
Every so often, when the walls are full, staff take down the bills. And that’s where things get interesting.
Where Do All Those Dollar Bills Go?
Over the years PJ’s has collected more than $10,000 from its walls, according to McGahan. The bills may be covered in permanent marker, but the money is still good!
The restaurant donates every dollar to the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay. The nonprofit’s four houses offer a home away from home for families whose children are receiving life-saving medical care in Tampa Bay area hospitals.
The donations have covered the cost of at least 125 nights’ stays, so parents can focus on their children’s recovery rather than on finding and paying for a hotel room.
“We are totally dependent on our community, because we do not get any government funding,” explains Joo Hooi Albritton, manager of the Ronald McDonald House.
“Without them, we cannot care for these families who come to us in the most difficult of circumstances.”
Fortunately, the donations will continue as long as the tradition does at PJ’s.
As the most recent dollar bill on the wall reads, “The story has just begun.”
Your Turn: How are you celebrating National Dollar Day?
Christie Post, social media video producer at The Penny Hoarder, is always finding ways to make stories visual. You can see her live broadcasts on our Facebook page. Give her a shoutout on Twitter @christiepost.
The post We Love What This Restaurant Does With the Dollar Bills on Its Walls appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
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