QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- New York City's restaurants, especially minority-owned businesses, have been battling rising costs and the lingering effects of the pandemic. However, a beacon of hope has emerged: The Rising Restaurateur, a community grant program.
This collaborative effort between Grubhub, The Oyate Group, and the New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association (NYSRBLA) is offering a lifeline to struggling businesses. The program boasts a $200,000 pool of microgrants and business development opportunities explicitly aimed at empowering minority restaurants in the five boroughs.
Franklin Santana, owner of Fonda La Consentida in Maspeth, Queens, was among the first to apply for the grant. He said it was a game-changer, allowing him to do more marketing, finish his outdoor dining area, and bring in more customers. Ultimately, his goal is simple: to keep the doors open and everyone employed.
Tomas Ramos, CEO and Founder of The Oyate Group, said the grant's versatility is a key factor. He acknowledges the specific struggles faced by minority-owned restaurants, many of which were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The grant aims to help these restaurants catch up on rent, pay utilities, or upgrade their businesses and marketing efforts.
The Rising Restaurateur grant empowers Santana and countless other restaurant owners to chart a course toward a brighter future.
To participate, restaurateurs must be Latino, Black, Indigenous, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander, based in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, or Westchester County (Mt. Vernon and Yonkers), operate as a single business with 30 or fewer employees, and have a revenue of $2 million or less.
New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association members are encouraged to apply, as $100,000 funds are dedicated to NYSRBLA members. Applications are open from March 1 to April 30.
For more information on how to apply, visit Rising Restaurateur Survey.
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