Batavia Chamber Helps Small Businesses Reopen Amid Pandemic

BATAVIA, IL — After helping almost a dozen small businesses bolster their safety precautions last month amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce is preparing to announce a second round of grant winners.

The Batavia Reconnected initiative awarded grants of up to $1,500 to 11 small businesses — Bernie’s Bully Dogs, Hearth & Hammer General, B. Stylish Nail Spa, Bocaditos, Limestone Coffee & Tea, Wilson Street Tavern, Oak and Swine, Red Hive Market, Black Cactus Print House, Rivers Edge Bar and Grill, and Full Moon Bar & Grill — to help them offset coronavirus-related reopening expenses.

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The chamber is currently evaluating applications from Batavia businesses for the initiative's second round of funding, according to Shirley Mott, the chamber’s communications and membership coordinator.

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The Batavia Chamber of Commerce, along with the City of Batavia and Batavia MainStreet, launched the grant program to distribute $80,000 to small businesses in the city. The initiative, which aims to give up to $1,500 to 50 businesses, was created to "increase public confidence that Batavia businesses are taking measures to keep their facilities safe," officials said in June.

The program is meant to support retail establishments, restaurants, salons, and fitness and dance studios with less than 10 full-time employees. The grants can be used to purchase any improvements or safety precautions made necessary by the coronavirus, including hand sanitizer, sneeze screens, protective gears, signs and touchless door handles.

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Shirley Mott, communications and membership coordinator for the chamber, commended businesses throughout the city for working together as they "scrambled to figure this all out."

"It’s been heartwarming to see businesses come together … so they can open," Mott said.

As a former business owner, Mott said she understands how hard it is for small businesses to be successful in the best of times, let alone a pandemic. Mott said the Batavia Reconnected grants give small businesses "that little bit of extra help" to ensure they can move forward in unprecedented times.

"It’s very gratifying to see that we can make a difference and that our businesses are happy that we’re helping them in any way we can," Mott said.

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