By now it’s common knowledge that the $650 billion federal relief package intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, like those that dot the Jamaica Plain and are the backbone of the community, ran out of money in 14 days back in April.
This left many of Jamaica Plain’s shuttered mom and pop operations without a lifeline while larger corporations and chain stores across the United States swallowed up the money.
In Jamaica Plain 37 small businesses received funding through the city’s Small Business Relief Fund, which kicked off with an initial funding dedication of $2 million (see list).
The funding helped a wide range of Jamaica Plain businesses from restaurants to saloons to dry cleaners to independent day care centers.
“The Small Business Relief Fund grants are critical to help struggling small businesses across the city address challenges brought on by COVID-19,” said Mayor Martin Walsh. “These businesses are the backbone of our economy, and the lifeblood of our communities. I’m proud we are able to assist them during this time, and am grateful to our partners who have stepped up in a big way to support Boston’s neighborhood business community.”
Walsh said in the City of Boston 58 percent of the businesses receiving grants are owned by people of color, 48 percent are owned by women, 44 percent are owned by immigrants.
Unlike the federal relief program Mayor Walsh said 95 percent of the city funding went to businesses with 15 or fewer employees.
An additional $5.5 million in funding is being added to fully fund all eligible grant requests that were submitted during the application process, which combines newly available federal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development; as well as commitments from Citizens Bank and Eastern Bank.
The Jamaica Plain businesses that received Small Business Relief Funds are:
262 Barbershop
Achilitos Taqueria
Alex Cook
Alluring Beauty
BE Events and Consulting
Beauty By Venard
BostonSpeaks LLC
Brilliance Tattoo
CACAO
Commonwealth Swimming LLC
D’laly’s Nail and Spa
Daniela’s Family Day Care
Dave Hart Instruments
El Oriental de Cuba
Esperanza Travel & Tours
Genesis Beauty Salon
Glenn’s Gardening & Woodworking
J&P Cleaners Inc.
Jamaica Plain Wellness
Jeffrey L Stiles Photography
Juicy Juju Music and Management
Lego Car Lego
Marcin Zebrowski
Midway Cafe
Mind Body Music Academy (also Vining Flute Studio)
Monumental Market
Ogusky Ceramics
Opus Affair Labs Inc.
Peak Performance Chiropractic
Rose JP Consignment
Sue Murad
Suite Musical Home
The Compliance Mentor Group
The Laundromat, Jackson Square Laundromat
The Video Underground
Tony Williams Dance Center
WikidFit, LLC