The 2020 Bloom Grant funding came at a time when Downtown restaurants and food vendors were in creative thinking mode, figuring out how to safely serve customers, keeping staff employed, and beginning recovery efforts, all during COVID-19 restrictions. Downtown Inc was able to award a total of $115,000 of Bloom Grant funding to 30 Downtown York businesses to ensure that the small businesses within our downtown continue to grow and thrive.
For Cupcakes & More in Central Market, Bloom Grant dollars were utilized to used to purchase a new refrigerator, allowing for an increase in order capacity of pre-made cakes and greater market-day inventory. i-ron-ic used the funds to polish the outdoor courtyard space while safely providing great food and coffee in the WeCo District. Another Central Market vendor, J.R.’s Fresh Cut Fries, purchased a Beverage Air Cooler to expand the drink options that accompany their famous fries. The restaurants of Restaurant Row (Gift Horse Brewing Company, The Handsome Cab, The Left Bank Restaurant & Bar, Rockfish Public House, and Tutoni’s) used the grant funds to purchase outdoor furniture that allowed for expanded socially distanced outdoor dining which provided a safe experience for diners and kept staff employed. With funds from the Bloom Grant, Soulfood in the Park made façade and structural improvements and added COVID-19 compliant fixtures to keep customers and employees safe. Molly’s Courtyard Café used Bloom Grant funds to make multi-functional planter boxes and gifted some to Revolt Style Studio’s for their storefront.
The restaurant industry has certainly felt the impacts of COVID-19, but with tireless dedication, creative thinking, fierce resiliency, and assistance from the 2020 Bloom Grant, these Downtown York restaurants were able to continue to grow their businesses while keeping their commitment to safety.
