A group of small businesses owned by people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Newark, New Jersey, have been awarded approximately $1.2 million in grants through the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative.
This initiative aims to bolster the retail sector and support new businesses in Newark. City officials believe that these grants will promote increased downtown development.
In an announcement made on Aug. 21, Invest Newark President and CEO Marcus T. Randolph emphasized that the grants are investments in the community’s future. He noted that each of these companies brings something unique to Newark.
The Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative, launched by Baraka and Invest Newark in September 2023, is designed to award grants to diverse small businesses, with amounts reaching up to $650,000 based on factors such as square footage. Eligible businesses include restaurants, shops and other retail establishments that occupy currently vacant downtown storefronts. To qualify, businesses must operate at least five days a week for a minimum of five hours each day and have signed a lease.
The grants are funded by the state Urban Enterprise Zone program and can be used for exterior improvements and equipment purchases.
So far, seven grant recipients have been announced, including four restaurants and three businesses related to education or entertainment. The recipients and their respective awards are as follows:
Melba’s Restaurant: $650,000
Mediterranean Grill & Thrill: $149,600
Isle 15 (Caribbean restaurant): $127,060
Bricks 4 Kidz Essex County (edutainment space): $112,000
GlassRoots (nonprofit glass art studio): $110,000
Honeypot Montessori: $60,620
Sweet Jeans Kitchen & Espresso Bar: $38,500
