30 Businesses Receive Funding Through 2020 Downtown Bloom Grant Program

Downtown Inc and the York County Economic Alliance are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2020 Downtown Bloom Grant.

During 2020’s Give Local York, all contributions solicited on behalf of Downtown Inc were allocated to the Downtown Bloom Small Business Grant Fund, to address the needs of our small business community, especially in recovery of COVID-19.  With nearly $20,000 raised during Give Local York, Downtown Inc and the York County Economic Alliance were able to increase the pool of dollars available to a total of $25,000. An anonymous donor dedicated to our thriving Downtown contributed an additional $90,000, allowing a grand total of $115,000 to be invested in 30 existing businesses in our Downtown.

“This is a monumental day for Downtown York businesses,” said Elaine Bonneau, director of Downtown Inc. “Over $100,000 is going directly to our small businesses, at a time when access to capital is one of the most vital needs to keep businesses operating post pandemic. These businesses have demonstrated their resiliency and commitment to the safety of their patrons and to maintain their business in the Downtown Business Improvement District in the City of York.”

And the winners are:

• 1st Capital Kidz Clothing & More

• Aye Ryze

• Chas A Schaefer Flowers Inc.

• Cherie Anne Designs

• Cornerstone Barbershop and Shave Parlour

• Cupcakes and More

• DesignBots Media Firm

• Diane and Anita’s Beauty Salon

• DiDi & Smiling John’s Barber Shop

• First Capital Dispensing Co

• Global Cafe

• Hair Depot

• Holy Hound Taproom

• i-ron-ic

• J.R.’s Fresh Cut Fries

• Molly’s Courtyard Cafe

• MKUP The Beauty Studio LLC

• Naska Bakery LLC

• Nuts About Granola LLC

• OMG Studios

• Restaurant Row Outdoor Dining

• Revolt Style Studio

• Sniffany’s of York, LLC

• Soulfood In The Park

• Take Five Expresso Bar

• The New Hub Store

• The Next Level Barbershop LLC

• Tony Orr’s Sons and Daughters Barber Shop

• Wise Sauce

• York City Pretzel Company

Thirty-nine applications were received for this round of funding, with 35 eligible for funding based on the criteria. In response to Downtown Inc’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, 100% of the eligible businesses owned by people of color were able to receive funding, and 60% of all of the businesses being supported are women-owned businesses.

The Bloom Grant Program was created in 2018 by a class of summer interns, to offer unique funding opportunities through this small business grant program. Grant rounds have been hosted for women-owned businesses, Downtown York specific businesses, graduates of the YCEA’s small business development program, and YCEA member businesses throughout York County. In its first year, the Downtown Bloom Grant awarded a total of $15,000 for qualified projects. To date, Bloom grants have awarded over $145,000 to 47 small businesses, of which over 50% were owned by persons of color, and over 60% were women owned or led.