Sam’s Tavern is hoping to help raise $100,000 to help survivors of domestic violence in memory of Anna “Maxx” Lopez, the 26-year-old shot and killed earlier this month by her estranged husband during her bartending shift at the Bellevue location of the Capitol Hill-born chain.
“While her death is sudden and unspeakably tragic, we would like to embrace that intrepid smile of hers to inspire the change that she would have liked to see in the world,” a message on the fundraiser page set up to honor Lopez reads. “If it is time to have an uncomfortable discussion about domestic violence, we would like to give Maxx the opportunity to help start that discussion.”
Proceeds from the effort will benefit LifeWire, a King County provider of housing, mental health, and legal services for survivors of domestic violence.
In her obituary, family said Lopez was a Bishop Blanchet High School grad with an interest in the arts and “a soft spot for animals.”
She enjoys working with many mediums and even worked as a graphic artist part-time while in college. Anna has always taken care of animals, whether it was a dog, goldfish, or hamsters. She is also a dancer and was a beloved part of her high school’s modern dance ensemble. After college, Anna took a break from school to work as a bartender.
According to her family, A Refuse to Abuse walk will be held on Saturday July 17 starting at 9 AM at the Green Lake Bathhouse Theatre. Saturday night starting at 8 PM will bring a memorial service at Golden Gardens in Ballard.
The original Sam’s Tavern debuted on E Pike to start 2013. Sam’s four locations were closed in the wake of the shooting but three have since reopened including the Capitol Hill tavern last weekend. The Bellevue location has remained closed.
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