Newark’s Small Business Grants are Revitalizing City’s Downtown

Since Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was elected in 2014, he has been committed to revitalizing the City of Newark, stimulating business in the downtown area, and strengthening neighborhoods. For its business development program, he took two key steps. He created the Retail Reactivation Initiative and escalated fees imposed on property owners whose buildings and land are vacant.

Last week the Mayor and Invest Newark announced $1.2 million in funding to assist business owners of seven downtown retail small businesses as part of its Initiative.

“This initiative spurs our progress toward infusing Newark’s downtown with the energy of diverse, local retail entrepreneurship,” said Mayor Baraka. “By supporting this vibrant assortment of businesses, we are not only enhancing the economic vitality of our city but also creating spaces that reflect the rich culture and community spirit of Newark.”

The Retail Reactivation Initiative is supported by Urban Enterprise Zone funds, part of a program begun in 1983 to provide an economic incentive for the revitalization of urban communities. It includes encouraging businesses to create private sector jobs through public and private investment.

The first announcement of the grant program was made in February 2024 with eight diverse grant recipients. It is now followed by a second group comprised of restaurants and other retail establishments, helping the City to be an attractive business environment.

“These grants are not just investments in businesses, but investments in our community’s future,” said Marcus Randolph , President and & CEO of Invest Newark. “Each of these companies bring something unique to Newark, and their collective successes will contribute to the overall vibrancy and economic health of our city.”

The Newark small business grant recipients comprised of a variety of types of businesses, gained access to capital important for those in the business sector. They are:

Melba’s Restaurant – Grant Amount: $650,000 – founded in Harlem in 2005 and became a premier comfort food destination in New York City, opening its second location in downtown Newark.

Grill & Thrill – Grant Amount: $149,600- located in a prominent location at Broad and Market Streets, specializing in fast, casual Mediterranean cuisine and is operated by entrepreneur Kehetrin Alpar.

Isle 15 – Grant Amount: $127,060 – Owned by Stacy Eversley and Deirdresha Wint, offers Caribbean restaurant serving food and drinks, activating multiple floors of a currently vacant building.

Bricks 4 Kidz Essex County – Grant Amount: $112,000 – The center offers STEM-based edutainment classes, activities, and parties for children ages three to 13 using LEGO bricks and coding programs. The owner, Tara Williams-Harrington, is a lifelong Newark resident.

GlassRoots – Grant Amount: $110,000 – a nonprofit organization igniting creative and economic vitality of greater Newark through glass arts. It is located at street-level in the Teacher’s Village featuring visible glassblowing furnaces and more.

Honeypot Montessori – Grant Amount: $60,620 – is the first Montessori school in Newark dedicated to fostering nature-immersive learning experiences for students ages three to six. Founder and Head of School Deja L. Jones, M.Ed., brings years of experience in education and youth development.

Sweet Jeans Kitchen & Espresso Bar – Grant Amount: $38,500 – is a modern café and community space specializing in events and sweet and savory bites. Michele Harriott, an experienced baker and Victor Joseph Soldano, it will be the first brick-and-mortar location.

The City of Newark and Invest Newark launched the Retail Reactivation Grant last September to bring more diverse retail, cultural, and food experiences to the City’s downtown by giving assistance to businesses.

Those following the application process and who meet eligibility requirements may gain access to funds up to $650,000 based on the square feet of their space. The grants may be used for capital improvements, exterior and interior improvements of vacant space or purchasing furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

The Retail Revitalization Initiative joins the efforts of for-profit organizations such as the programs launched by Newark-based Audible. Audible’s recently-announced Business Attraction Program focuses on stimulating the City’s Innovation Economy. The company’s program offers incentives for innovative companies to locate in Newark, particularly those founders of color or women-owned businesses.

Successful applicants may receive relocation assistance, capital for new leases, and stipends for employees to live and shop locally – an extension of Audible’s successful?Live Local?Program. They may become eligible for additional funding from business funding programs or other government grant programs.

Mayor Baraka has fostered an environment of collaboration between government agencies with for profit businesses leading Newark into the future. Bringing more businesses into Newark benefits the local communities through job creation—the foundation of a healthy city.