Please don’t stop the music.
That’s the plea from owners of a popular live jazz restaurant venue with the launch last week of a GoFundMe campaign. They have a fundraising goal of $150,000 to pay off mounting business-related bills.
Con Alma is the only jazz bar and restaurant in Downtown Pittsburgh, showcasing live jazz six nights a week.
“We have no choice,” said chef and co-owner Josh Ross on the decision to establish the GoFundMe, which has raised more than $30,800 in four days. “We’re in survival mode.”
Co-owner Aimee Marshall, who is married to Ross, said she’s hopeful the public will save the day with monetary donations so they can continue to bring live jazz to the Pittsburgh area.
Con Alma, which opened in June 2019 in Shadyside, faced financial woes because of the pandemic, Ross said. But the real blow happened with what he said was a “too soon” decision to open a second Con Alma location in 2021 in Downtown Pittsburgh.
The Shadyside location ultimately shuttered in 2023. Con Alma has $150,000 in debt to work off.
“Pittsburgh just wasn’t big enough for two jazz clubs,” Ross said. “And Downtown, customers complain about the parking and how expensive special event parking is. It keeps people from coming Downtown altogether or they’re mad they had to pay $30 or more for parking,” Ross said.
Con Alma, which translates to “with soul,” opened in 2021 at 613 Penn Ave., across the street from Heinz Hall.
Co-owner and music coordinator John Shannon said the donations coming in have him feeling “extremely grateful.”
“Every dollar truly helps,” Shannon said.
Pushing pride aside to admit financial troubles is difficult for anyone, particularly for the trio who have decades of experience in the music and food business.
“The restaurant business is hard enough, but, when you throw live jazz on top of that, it makes it wonderful but harder because you’re operating a live music venue,” Ross said. “People’s perception of that is mixed, and they see a packed house on the weekend but that’s not enough.”
All monies raised will go directly to pay outstanding debt related to Con Alma.
Con Alma employs about 30 people and pays bands to perform.
The former Shadyside location was losing money every month and the debt snowballed.
The GoFundMe is a last resort, Ross said.
“The last thing we want to do is ask for money.,” Ross said. “And we couldn’t be more grateful and words can’t express our thanks for the support.”
Providing a true live jazz experience complete with cocktails and food is something Pittsburgh lacks, Ross and Marshall said.
“There’s just not a place like us in Pittsburgh — at all — we’re the whole package destination,” said Marshall, who moved to Pittsburgh to attend Point Park University.
The couple are quick to point out the financial sacrifices they and others in their restaurant family have made to remain open.
“We live in an apartment and drive a Honda,” said Ross, who was raised in South Park.
Con Alma continues to operate with regular business hours.
An early and late happy hour is offered, and cocktails are priced at $8.
“Any amount someone donates is so special and appreciated and shows us that there are people that care,” Marshall said.
More than 320 donations to date include anonymous contributions and amounts ranging from $5 to $1,000.
“It makes you feel like you’re wanted,” Ross said of the generosity of strangers.