Re-FRESH Program
The Revitalization of Food Restaurants and Establishments to Stabilize Holistically (Re-FRESH) Program supports brick and mortar businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our goal is to create stability amongst small food businesses, restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, taverns, and bars.
Over the course of 12 months, Program participants create a plan to reactivate their business, creating goals to recover from pandemic setbacks. Our office provides wrap-around support services through our technical assistance partners, such as:
- working one-on-one with a business coach
- offering support and resources
- creating comprehensive marketing plans, and
- much more.
APPLY FOR THE RE-FRESH PROGRAM
Also available in Português, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, 中文, 繁體中文, Kreyòl ayisyen, Soomaali, Español, and Tiếng Việt.
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RE-FRESH PROGRAM INFORMATION
Program InformationEligible businesses include food businesses, restaurants, bars, taverns, and juice shops. We prioritize businesses that are located in low-to-moderate-income communities.
Businesses must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- Must employ 30 or fewer individuals, including the business owner
- Must earn no more than $3 million in annual revenue
- Must have faced an economic hardship directly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. This could include, but is not limited to: declines in revenues or business closures due to the pandemic; greater difficulty accessing credit than prior to the pandemic; increased costs to starting the business due to the pandemic; lost expected startup capital due to the pandemic
- Must have a commercial or mobile space in the City of Boston (home-based businesses are not eligible)
- If deemed necessary by the Small Business office, must complete the necessary Re-FRESH Program workshops/trainings
- Must be in Good Standing with the City of Boston, with no back taxes owed on property, personal property, or motor excise
Businesses can receive up to $15,000. Small Business may award full funding, partial funding, or no funding.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Businesses must submit a complete application by September 13, 2024.
Businesses should be prepared to provide the following documents:
- Valid certificate of occupancy (as appropriate)
- Valid business certificate from the City of Boston OR your 2023 or 2024 annual report for your Massachusetts state-registered corporation
- Budget template provided in application
- Letter of community support from a neighborhood or community group (OPTIONAL)
- Copy of 2023 IRS filing for business tax
- Valid Supplier ID
Also available in Português, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, 中文, 繁體中文, Kreyòl ayisyen, Soomaali, Español, and Tiếng Việt..
Please note: Funds cannot be used for owner's salary but can be used for employees' salaries.
GENERAL PROGRAM POLICIES
- Grant funds must be used only in association with business establishments located within the city of Boston
- Grant funds are awarded to a business, not to an individual
- Applicants should read the full terms and conditions of this grant
- Food businesses in Qualified Census Tracts will be prioritized, but all are welcome to apply
- Second round grant application launch: Monday, August 29, 2024
- Info Session #1: Monday, August 5, 2024, from 4 - 5 p.m.
- Info Session #2: Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 9 - 10 a.m.
- Spanish Language Session: Thursday, September 18, 2024 from 10 - 11 a.m.
- Second round application deadline: Friday, September 13, 2024
Also available in Brazilian Portuguese (Português), Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu Kabuverdianu), Simplified Chinese (中文), Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), Haitian Creole (Kreyòl ayisyen), Somali (Soomaali), Spanish (Español), and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).
The first round of awardees received grants ranging from $2,500 to $13,000. They represent 18 neighborhoods. Awardees are as follows:
- 2TWENTY2
- ADK Sandwich Shop
- Ariana Restaurant
- Blue Mountain Jamaican Restaurant
- Bonne Chance Cafe
- Bono Restaurant and Catering
- BRASIL BRAZIL
- BRED
- Butterfly Falafel
- CAFE CORNER
- Cafe Iterum
- Cape Verde Taste
- Caramelo Bakery & Cafe
- CHARLIE'S SANDWICH SHOPPE
- Chill on Park
- Coco Leaf
- Comfort Kitchen
- CRISPY DOUGH PIZZERIA
- D'Guru
- dbar
- Don Tequeno y Dona Arepa
- DORA TAQUERIA
- Drydock Cafe
- Holly Crab
- Huong Que Vietnamese Restaurant
- Koy
- L’Osteria
- LA TERRAZA
- Las Delicias Colombianas 2
- Las Palmas Restaurant
- Love Art Sushi
- Madhouse Cafe
- MAXINE'S ON SAINT JAMES
- MELODIAS
- Mexicali Sushi Bar
- MI PUEBLITO ORIENT HEIGHTS
- Mi Pueblito Restaurant
- MI RANCHO
- Model Cafe
- Montecristo
- North Street Grille
- Oasis Restaurant
- Papi's Stuffed Sopapillas
- PeKa Restaurant
- Perros Paisas
- Pizzeria Rustico
- Restaurante Cesaria
- rinconcito salvadoreno
- Rootastes
- Roundhead Brewing Company
- Savvor Restaurant and Lounge
- Solid Ground Cafe
- spicy world
- Sweet Kingdom
- Tacos Calleteco
- Tasty Pot
- TERTULIAS CAFE
- The Jamaican Hummingbird Restaurant
- The Koji Club
- Top Mix Bar & Kitchen
- Tu Metapan Restaurant
- Vasquez restaurant
- We Grow Microgreens
- Wens Noodle
- Woodys Grill & Tap
- Zaz
Re-FRESH Program Workshops
WORKSHOPSWho's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact:
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Office Hours:
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