Small biz relief headed to SW Side

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Restaurants, bars, motels get state grants

By Tim Hadac

The Southwest Side is pocked with vacant storefronts once home to small businesses that went belly up during the pandemic.

But newly announced state aid aims to prevent another wave of shutdowns among small restaurants, food trucks, food carts, bars, breweries and other food and beverage establishments.

The aid targeted businesses with 50 or fewer employees, which were established prior to the pandemic and have not received pandemic-related aid from other government sources.

ASH Gastropub, 6822 W. Archer, is set to receive $50,000 in state aid. –Photo by Cosmo Hadac

On the Southwest Side, restaurants and related businesses receiving Back to Business (B2B) aid this year are:

• Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins, 4302 S. Ashland, $50,000.
• China Lamp Restaurant, 4603 S. Ashland, $50,000.
• Big Tony’s Pizza II, 3732 W. 59^th St., $50,000.
• La Michoacana Favorita, 6236 S. Pulaski, $5,000.
• Tacos y Salsas, 3351 W. 63^rd St., $10,000.
• Taquería Mi Barrio Es Tepito, 2645 W. 63^rd St., $5,000.
• Taquería Michoacán, 3332 W. 63^rd St., $35,000.
• El Puerto, 3018 W. 47^th St., $50,000.
• Mariscos El Puerto, 5004 S. Archer, $50,000.
• La Chapparita Taquería, 4559 S. Richmond, $30,000.
• Las Brisas Del Mar, 3207 W. 51^st St., $50,000.
• Dunkin’, 4649 S. Cicero, $15,000.
• Dunkin, 4453 S. Archer, $25,000.
• Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins, 4701 S. Kedzie, $50,000.
• Piezano’s Pizza & Grinder Co., 2601 W. 47^th St., $25,000.
• Polish Highlanders Restaurant, Bar & Banquet Halls, 4808 S. Archer, $50,000
• Red Barrel Restaurant, 5214 S. Archer, $50,000.
• Reyes Grill, 3903 S. Kedzie, $15,000.
• Tio Luis Tacos, 3856 S. Archer, $50,000.
• Café 63, 6411 W. 63^rd St., $35,000.
• ASH Gastropub, 6822 W. Archer, $50,000.
• Vince’s Pizza, 6217 W. 63^rd St., $50,000.
• Smoke Filled Room, 3359 W. 79^th St., $50,000.
• Dulcería Los Antojitos, 8513 S. Pulaski, $10,000
• Subway, 8145 S. Pulaski, $50,000.

Hotels and motels also benefitted. Southwest Side businesses receiving funds are:

The Rainbow Motel, 7050 W. Archer, expects to receive $23,518 in state assistance. –Photo by Cosmo Hadac

• Carlton Inn Midway, 4944 S. Archer, $62,714.
• Cicero Hotel, 4501 S. Cicero, $55,746.
• Crossroads Hotel, 5300 S. Pulaski, $139,206.
• Rainbow Motel, 7050 W. Archer, $23,518.
• Skylark Motel, 5435 S. Archer, $47,036.
• Saratoga Motel, 7701 S. Cicero, $47,907.

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for businesses in the hardest-hit industries. Through the state’s B2B and Business Interruption Grant Programs, the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Eligible restaurants, hotels and creative arts businesses were eligible to apply for $175 million in the latest round of grant funding.

The program design for B2B Restaurants, B2B Hotels and B2B Arts, respectively, are based on state legislation that established the Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program, the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program and the Illinois Creative Recovery Grant program.

Southwest Side state senators and state representatives have been supportive of the recovery aid.

“The Back to Business grants have supported our local restaurants through some of the most devastating times,” State Senator Mike Porfirio (D-11th) said. “By investing in these businesses, we are helping restaurants adapt and improve so they can continue to serve our communities to the best of their capabilities.”

Local restaurants “help to foster and promote diversity and community pride,” Porfirio added. “Helping small businesses stay open and continue to grow post-pandemic has been vital for ensuring our community needs are being met.”