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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.

The Re-FRESH Program Application closed on September 20, 2024. If you have any questions about the Program, please contact the Office of Small Business at smallbiz@boston.gov or 

617-635-0355.

RE-FRESH PROGRAM INFORMATION

Program Information

Eligible 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). Search your address using this map to check your eligibility.
  • 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 20, 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

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, July 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: Monday, August 19, 2024 from 10 - 11 a.m.
  • Second round application deadline: Friday, September 20, 2024

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 Iterum
  • Cape Verde Taste
  • Caramelo Bakery & Cafe
  • CHARLIE'S SANDWICH SHOPPE
  • Chill on Park
  • Coco Leaf
  • Comfort Kitchen
  • Corner Cafe Bakery
  • 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
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