Pasadena COVID-19 Relief Grants Help Keep Small Business Afloat

Facing economic devastation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pasadena’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, which has provided grants to nearly 100 recipients after its second round of distribution this month, has made a big difference for struggling local businesses, some of the awardees say.

City officials announced 59 small businesses had been awarded grants of $7,500 each to help offset the losses brought on by the pandemic, according to the Pasadena Community Foundation, PCF, which administers the city-backed fund. Another 39 local small enterprises received $10,000 grants through the program in August.

To be eligible for the latest round of grants, known as the Micro Enterprise reimbursement program, applicants had to have five or fewer employees, operate out of a street-level storefront in Pasadena, experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and own 51% of the business.

“This partnership between the city and PCF really helped ‘the little guys’ in significant ways,” said PCF spokeswoman Sarah Hilbert .

The grant program “has been vital in assisting some of the most impacted businesses in Pasadena during the pandemic and those that did not have strong margins to keep them afloat,” according to a statement issued by the PCF. “Many are legacy businesses that benefit and add character and history to our city’s business landscape. 

The recent round of grant funding drew 129 applicants, officials said. The first round last year attracted 94, but a significant number were disqualified after being determined to be ineligible.

At Johnny’s Sport Shop, a decades-old family-owned store specializing in fishing tackle, the pandemic took a severe toll, co-owner Robert Ota said.

“We lost a lot of sales because we were closed half of March and also April and the first half of May. So we were basically closed for two months,” he said.

“And that was the beginning of the season. March 1 is when the fishing season starts in the ocean here in Southern California. April is when the fishing season starts for trout…  and we were closed,” Ota said.

The situation has improved significantly since health policies allowed for a limited return to business, he said.

“We’ve been here for 63-plus years. It’s all same-family owned,” Ota said. “Our customer base is very loyal, so we didn’t really lose too many customers. We did lose a lot of sales, though, during that period of time.”

The Small Business COVID-19 Grant Program provided a much-needed helping hand, he said.

“Unfortunately, your creditors don’t stop knocking on the door,” Ota said. “And you have wages that you have to pay. And so the grant did help us in our wages, and that was a big help because we were using the finances of the store to take care of all of that. So that got dwindled down.”

Luke Walker’s Barber Shop was also among the small businesses to benefit from the program.

The pandemic affected the business unlike anything ever before, said Patricia Walker, daughter of owner Luke Walker.

Even through the recession, Patricia Walker said her father remained busy, never taking a day off work.

“This COVID is it. It’s the only thing that’s had him not working,” she said. “Shutting down for those few months where we had to shut the doors was something that never happened with him before. And, of course, it affects you financially, but it also affects you emotionally because you’re used to having a place that you come to every day, people that you see all the time, a community of people.

 “So the grant was amazing for us because we were able to take care of products that needed to be back-ordered, take care of those bills… just lots and lots of things here that we were able to catch up on… so it really, really meant a lot.”

But the barbershop also benefits from a loyal clientele, which it has built since opening in 1975, Patricia Walker said.

“We have the people that have been coming here for years. It’s a supportive place here in Pasadena,” she said. “My father is a deacon at the Friendship Pasadena Church, and he’s done lots of philanthropy work here.”

Success for local businesses means success for the city, PCD Program Director Kate Clavijo said.

“Pasadena Community Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to help bring this funding to our small business community during these unprecedented times. These funds will help ensure Pasadena businesses recover from this pandemic stronger than they’ve ever been before,” she said.

“PCF has a long history of supporting nonprofits in the community, but we are aware of the importance of addressing community needs from various angles,” Clavijo added. 

“Supporting these 59 businesses and helping them stay open can have a significant community benefit. Simply remaining open is one of the best things that these businesses can do for Pasadena. Remain a viable business. Provide services.  Remain an employer,” she said.

More information on Pasadena’s COVID-10 Small Business Relief Grant Program is available online at cityofpasadena.net/city-manager/news-releases/online-application-portal-for-small-business-covid-19-relief-grant-program-opens-monday-january-25/.

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