Dan McMahon of Danny Mac’s Pizza recently started a Germantown-Schnitzelburg facebook page, aptly titled “Germantown-Schnitzelburg” in order to learn more about the history of the neighborhood. But, to his surprise, the group’s following quickly flourished with 1,000 followers in the first week, and 3,000 the next week. With over 3,500 fans, the page has become a place for Germantown residents and other interested Louisvillians to stay up-to-date on local events, reconnect with one another, and discuss important issues. Facebookers can be seen polling opinions on the best pizza joint in the area, exchanging funny, posting notices for missing pets, sharing pictures, and discussing more serious matters like local crime.
The boom in interest and activity inspired McMahon to create an “I Heart Germantown Schniztelburg” T-shirt to take the apparent pride of the community from the web, to the streets. The black shirts, with a declaration of love in simple white writing, serve their purpose of uniting and supporting the historic neighborhood, and can be seen all over the city (anyone present at the Thunder of Louisville celebration was sure to see a few Germantown supporters sporting their community gear).
McMahon suspected that the shirts would be popular, selling over 100 in the last couple of weeks, and so thought to implement the community spirit of the shirt. With the help of Gary Allen, the president of the Germantown-Schnitzelburg neighborhood association, McMahon has vowed to donate the profits to Germantown-based Boy Scout Troop #17, which is the oldest existing Boy Scout troop in Louisville. Although those associated with and in charge of the troop are aware of the impending donation, they have not shown as much interest in selling the wares as the local vendors and residents.
The Germantown-Schnitzelburg shirts, as seen in the picture posted with this article, can be found at Hauck’s Handy Store, Auctions Made Simple, and, of course, at Danny Mac’s Pizza. If you order a pizza from Danny Mac’s, the shirt can be delivered with your dinner. The “I <3 Germantown Schnitzelburg” T-shirts will also be for sale at the Germantown Beer Walk this Saturday, the 24th.
$11.99 sizes S to XL, and $14.99 for sizes XL to 4XL
Photo: Courtesy Dan McMahon
