This West Virginia Town That Had A Candlelight Vigil For A Hooters Closing And Used It To Help Raise Money For A Family In Need Rocks

UPI News - The Hooters eatery in Kanawha City, Charleston, closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and never reopened, with developers eventually announcing the building would be demolished to make way for a Sheetz gas station.

Organizers said the candlelight vigil started out as a joke between friends, but it took off on social media and hundreds of people, including some former Hooters employees, turned out to pay tribute to the restaurant, famous for its hot wings and scantily-clad servers.

Browning said the vigil ended up being more than a tribute to a beloved restaurant, it also raised money for a local family in need.

"One of our close friend's daughters, she was just diagnosed with a very, very rare disease and it's very serious. If she don't get help then she's not going to be with us much longer," Browning said.

The organizers said the money raised at the vigil will allow the family to travel to California for treatment.

At first I was laughing much like the people from Kanawha City who organized this as an inside joke. When the guy says "this building was a legitimate iconic figure" I had to giggle. How could you not? Listen ... I love Hooters. It was an iconic restaurant growing up. Terrific wings and the fountain soda hits different in those plastic cups. I will never forget a waitress sitting on my grandfathers lap to take his order while visiting Ohio State, as well as the countless times growing up when one of your friends would say "I'll have the burger and your number." Damn good wings, solid solid sit down chain restaurant. And for a lotta towns like this, it's a good job for people so it makes sense why the guy was so worked up about it. Granted the vigil started as a joke, but like any place you go to enough I'm sure you have a little "aghhh that sucks" when you see a place you had memories at closing down. 

Whatever the case or inspiration of this town doing this "vigil", whether it be a joke or for headlines, they did spin it for a good cause. Raising awareness and money for one of their friends daughters in need was the twist in the video I was not expecting. Good for them to bring back old friends, and help out a friend in need. Awesome move. 

PS- I did still laugh at corporate being so touched by the ceremony that they sent a box of calendars to hand out. Just amazing. Gotta love that. The people were probably thrilled.