There’s a New Austin Small Business Grant Program for Up to $40K

New Small Business Relief Grant
The City of Austin added two new grants to help fund restaurants, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. First, the Austin Small Business Relief Grant will give out up to $40,000 to individual businesses to be used for towards rent, payroll, and other bills and expenses. The second grant is dedicated to nonprofits. Applications for both grants opened as of yesterday, Tuesday, July 7, and the deadline is Friday, July 24 at 5 p.m. Half of the money will be given to those who fulfil criteria and the other half will be handed out through a lottery system. Overseeing the applications is the Better Business Bureau for the Economic Development Department. The total available fund is $16.5 million.

Canceled Events
Both Texas Craft Brewers Festival (TCBF) and Fredericksburg’s Oktoberfest in the fall have been canceled because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. While TCBF was supposed to take place in person on Saturday, October 24, the organization plans on hosting a virtual edition of the event with beer releases and beer to-go specials, with details to be announced later. Oktoberfest was supposed to take place from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4.

Bakers Against Racism, Texas Edition
There’s now a Texas edition of anti-racism bake sale Bakers Against Racism on Saturday, July 11. Participating Texas Bakers Against Racism bakers and restaurants, including Natalie Gazaui, Abby Love, and Jester King, will sell baked goods and donate the resulting profits to nonprofits focused on creating racial equality and combating racism. Some bakers are putting together bake boxes, others are selling a la carte items. Preorders are available as of Monday, July 6 through each baker or restaurant, with pickups or deliveries on Saturday.

Restaurant Pause
Central East Austin casual restaurant Sour Duck Market is taking a break this month as of Monday, July 6. The restaurant, which had been open for takeout and dine-in services, will be closed through the end of July. It plans on reopening sometime in early August, “assuming we do not receive a state-wide shutdown,” according to the email newsletter from the restaurant. The restaurant is participating in Texas Bakers Against Racism bake sale (see above). The restaurant’s sibling restaurants Barley Swine and Odd Duck remain open, both for dine-in services as well as curbside pickups from Odd Duck.

Food Truck Park Break-Ins
Someone broke into East Austin food trucks Vegan Nom, East Austin Coffee, and Curcuma last week, leaving damaged windows and locks.