At first, the bar owners hoped to coordinate opening their businesses around the same time. They swapped ideas and information, and worked on a plan.
The owners of seventeen gay bars in Phoenix were looped in on the group text, Louis said. Louis, owner of Stacy's Melrose, wanted to check in with other gay bar owners during the coronavirus closures. A few weeks ago, Stacy Louis turned to what is always a source of strength during trying times: a good group text.
