Pandemic-beleaguered Mickey’s Diner surges past fundraising goal

A St. Paul landmark got heaps of help after it asked the community for a boost to get it through the pandemic.

As of Saturday night, donors had contributed $62,000 to Mickey’s Diner via GoFundMe since the page was created on Dec. 22.

The iconic art deco-styled dining car that has called West Seventh Street its home since 1939 is usually known for being open around the clock, but it had to halt dine-in service in observance of COVID-19 restrictions.

"The pandemic, long stretches without indoor dining, downtown attractions, and events, have left historic Mickey’s Diner struggling to keep the ember glowing," page organizer Bert Mattson said in a post. "Mickey’s took the pandemic seriously and suspended 24/7 service for the first time in its 80 year history."

In an update on Saturday, Mattson thanked donors for helping rocket past the diner’s $50,000 fundraising goal.

"To set up this fundraiser and witness the magnitude of outreach and support and generosity is humbling, honestly. Overwhelming," he wrote. "To see anxiety about all the uncertainties turning to confidence would have been hard to imagine. Thank you so much for your support."