Second Round of Microgrants Awarded to City Businesses

The Avondale Estates Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has awarded its second round of microgrants, resulting in a total of $44,000 of funding to be distributed to local Avondale Estates businesses this year. The microgrants were available to businesses that have been operating for at least six months and are ground floor retail, food service, personal care or pet care facilities.

In January, the DDA launched a microgrant program to provide $24,000 of funding to brick-and-mortar business owners for business enhancements. This program provided up to $2,000 per business to invest in physical improvements, equipment or marketing efforts. The microgrants were distributed on a rolling basis, and the DDA received more applications in the first round than they had available funding.

In March, the DDA voted to provide an additional $20,000 in funding to the program for the second quarter of 2025. Round two of the popular microgrant program opened in early May and has since closed.

Businesses have requested funding for equipment upgrades, facade improvements, signs, repairs, website upgrades, social media campaigns and other marketing initiatives.

The DDA is currently working with the following 22 local businesses on the microgrants:

• Anansi Cocktail Lounge
• Avon Theater
• The Book Bird
• Donatos Pizza
• Fiber Parts
• Galette
• Garage Door Studio
• Jax Package Store
• Leftie Lee’s
• Little Cottage Brewery
• The Little Hippo
• Little Tree Art Studios
• Lost Druid Brewery & Distillery
• Methane Studios
• Olive & Pine
• Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop & Tasting Room
• Ronald Sachs Violins
• Santo Cantina & Cocina
• Spectrum Performance
• The Stratford Pub
• Village Music
• Wild Heaven Beer