Small Businesses Across Pasadena Receive Business Grants from Joint City, Pasadena Community Foundation Program

Fifty-nine small businesses in Pasadena have been selected for the city’s second Business Grant effort – the Micro Enterprise reimbursement program – which provides $7,500 to each eligible business as temporary relief from the devastating economic impact of COVID-19.

Eric Duyshart, the City’s Economic Development Manager, said the program is supported by funds coming from the City’s allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

The Pasadena Community Foundation, which administers the program, was able to raise an additional $34,000 in private contributions. Duyshart said this was matched by the City, adding a total of $68,000 to the program and allowing the City to provide grants to 59 second-round grant participants, instead of only 50.

A report by Duyshart’s office said the second program attracted up to 129 applications as of February 26 when the application period closed, with an additional 142 businesses starting the application process but not completing it, after the owners realized they did not meet eligibility guidelines.

Duyshart will make a presentation Tuesday to the City Council’s Economic Development and Technology (EDTech) Committee, in a special meeting which begins at 4 p.m.

To be eligible, each business has to be physically located in Pasadena, in a commercial or industrial street-level space; must have an active Pasadena business license; and must have five or fewer employees including the owner.

The owner must own 51 percent or more of the business, and must be able to prove that their business has been negatively affected by COVID-19. He is required to show proof that revenue from the business has been down more than 25 percent.

The PCF has notified all qualified applicants, and is now in the process of verifying income and business information.

Duyshart is expected to provide additional details about the program and the selected beneficiaries, about 43 percent of which have been in business from five to nine years in Pasadena, and about 36 percent of whom are classified in the extremely low-income household category.

A majority of the business owners had a household income in 2019 of under $44,000, according to Duyshart’s report.

Members of the public may listen in to EDTech Committee’s special meeting through http://pasadena.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish id=9 and www.pasadenamedia.org.

Public comments may be sent by email to sarobles@cityofpasadena.net or through www.cityofpasadena.net/comm issions/public-comment.

Here is a complete list of the recipients announced:

1. AMC Ajemian Mechanical Supply Corporation

2. Andy’s Coffee Shop

3. Art of Dentristry

4. Barnabas Robotics

5. BBC Entertainment

6. Bessy’s Boutique

7. Blue Diamond Salon

8. California Nails

9. Cheeks LLC

10. Chevuex Hair Salon

11. Classic Kickboxing

12. Concierge Cleaners

13. Connie Tao Designs

14. Cote d’Azur

15. Eco Auto Care

16. European Car Specialist Inc

17. Fiona’s Threading Studio

18. Fonda Dona Julia

19. GymnastiKids

20. Habib Tile and Stone Inc.

21. Hot Yoga Pasadena

22. Hotel Le Reve Pasadena

23. John 316 inc Oseyo Shabu Shabu

24. Johnny Sport

25. Julie Gomez Physical Therapy

26. JWL Style Corporation True Martial Arts

27. Kevin Trieu dba Ginger and Spice Noodle & Grill

28. KT & TI Inc

29. La Beaute Inc

30. Leberry Bakery

31. Luke Walker’s Barber and Beauty Care

32. Lupitas Mexican Food

33. ME+cREPE

34. Men’s Suit Outlet

35. Mfrost Inc

36. Natures Cleaners (Varden)

37. OATS Organic Tanning

38. Old Pasadena General Store

39. Pasadena Art Studio

40. Pasadena Beauty Bar

41. Pasadena Weight Loss Center

42. Pilates Pasadena

43. Rejuvenation Spa

44. Saigon Noodle

45. Salon 90 LLC

46. Salon after 5

47. Sett Investment Tip Top Cleaners

48. Shawerma Masters

49. Sidestile

50. Soccer Plus

51. Spring Acupuncture & Spiritual Direction

52. The Beauty Lounge Salon, Inc.

53. The Speak Easy

54. Tidal Wave International

55. Twigzz

56. V&S Kids Space Corp

57. Vanny’s Party Supply

58. Vatchara Tanasie dba Pattaya Healing Massage

59. Walker/Viden Luxury Consignment