Swampscott Awards 5 Small Business Grants Via CARES Act Funds

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – Two local restaurants, two barbershops and a jewelry store were among the small businesses awarded grants in Swampscott under the Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant Program, supported by the CARES Act.

Swampscott's Office of Community & Economic Development awarded the grants to Café Avellino, Kats Boutique, Lincoln's Landing, New England Barber Studio and Rosa Bros Barber Shop.

"We know that our small businesses have suffered tremendously during this pandemic," Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said. "We hope these funds will provide businesses with the much-needed working capital to continue operating and serving our community. I urge all to find a way to shop local was we look to sustain Swampscott’s small businesses during this difficult time."

Café Avellino has remained open throughout the coronavirus health crisis, but has felt the impact of the reduced capacity and other restrictions associated with the pandemic.

"Even though I'm working twice as hard and making half the amount of sales at the moment," owner Teresa Sirignano said, "the fact that the town of Swampscott is assisting us in this unpredictable time gives me a sense of relief and hope for a better year here in this town."

Funding can be used for expenses such as rent, staffing, utilities and other operating costs.

The town said grant funding is available to businesses and will be distributed on a rolling basis. Businesses can apply for funding through Office of Community and Economic Development Director Marzie Galazka at 781-596-8829, ext. 1215 or magalazka@swampscottma.gov.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)