The Westchester LGBTQ+ History Project

Cheyenne Gherardi is the owner of Mazzys, a bar in Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Raised in a family that owned and operated several local bars, Gherardi was well equipped to take over Mazzys from her father when the opportunity arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years since, she has worked to transform Mazzys from a sports bar into a space that employs, welcomes and celebrates her community.

In addition to replacing pool tables with Pride flags and hosting events like karaoke, sapphic nights and drag brunches, Gherardi has also partnered with local LGBTQ+ groups like the LOFT.

Growing up in Eastchester, everybody always wanted to move to the city, wanted to move away. But I feel like you can bring those things that you seek from other places here if you stay and you create them yourself. So by creating an LGBTQ-friendly space, it’s given all of my friends a space to feel seen.

In this interview with the Westchester LGBTQ+ History Project, Gherardi discusses the challenges of rebranding a bar, building community and growing up—then staying—in Westchester.

To read the full transcript, click here.

The bar really worked out well for me, because it gives me a way to channel my creative energy and my want to help the community and create a space.