City Announces Initial Outdoor Dining Grant Awardees

Aug. 1, 2020

In the midst of a global pandemic that led to state restrictions on indoor dining, the City of Albuquerque has developed creative ways to help local businesses stay afloat through these tough economic times. From waiving millions of dollars in fees to issuing direct business support grants and fast-tracking construction projects, the City has stepped up to help local business save countless jobs. Today, the City is announcing its first round of outdoor dining grant award winners.

“Our community is preparing for the long haul with our coronavirus response,” stated Mayor Tim Keller. “We are grateful to be able to help support businesses during this trying time by providing some financial assistance to get them the equipment they need to set up these outdoor spaces.”

Though the City of Albuquerque’s new outdoor dining grant program, the Economic Development Department is working in coordination with other City departments to identify and provide financial support ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to local restaurants and cafes with viable plans to mitigate business interruption losses by expanding the outdoor dining options for their customers. There is a total of $200,000 available.

Utilizing funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the City is making grants available to support restaurants, cafes, and food trucks in setting up and operating the following types of outdoor dining options:

• Public sidewalks,
• Parklets,
• Private parking lots, and
• Limited street closures.

For the first round of grants, the City was able to award grants to all 29 qualified applicants, determined by lottery, for a total of $100,500. Recipients will receive between $2,500 and $5,000. The recipients include:

• Weck’s
• Slapfish
• Perico's Revel
• Blaze Pizza
• Duran’s Central Pharmacy
• Mac's La Sierra
• High Point Grill
• The Standard Diner
• Slice Parlor
• La Cumbre Brewing Co.
• Sandia Crust Pizza Company
• Texas Roadhouse
• Little Anita's Mexican Food
• Jinja Bar & Bistro
• Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.
• The Kosmos Restaurant
• Twin Peaks Restaurant
• Owl Cafe
• M'tucci's Italian
• Hollow Spirits Distillery
• San Mateo Beer Company
• Nena's Food
• Boxing Bear Brewing Company
• Hundred Hands Coffee
• The Grove Cafe
• Mata G Vegetarian Kitchen
• Oni
• Azuma Sushi and Teppan
• El Patron Restaurant

Restaurants and cafes are encouraged to submit their applications next week to be entered into the next lottery round. Local eateries can find out more about the grant funding process by going to cabq.gov/outdoor-dining.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City has also taken measures to support local businesses that include waiving fees. Fees have been waived for restaurants working to add outdoor seating capacity as a way to get diners back quickly and safely. Additionally, the City is waiving fees for inspections on commercial swimming pools, restaurant inspections, food trucks permits, and growers market permits for all of 2020. The City is automatically refunding any businesses that have already paid permit fees for calendar year 2020.