Bed-Stuy Bookstore Among Winners Of Library Business Contest

BROOKLYN, NY — A plan for a new bookstore in Bed-Stuy and several other Brooklyn business ideas got a boost this week thanks to Brooklyn Public Library's annual PowerUp! competition, the library announced.

The library, which is in its 17th year of the business plan contest, revealed winners Tuesday for the $40,000 in awards and seed money to aspiring entrepreneurs from across the borough.

This year's competition came with particular significance given the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus crisis, a similar environment to when PowerUp first launched its mission of nurturing entrepreneurs after the devastation of 9/11.

“This year's finalists, all of whom have the tenacity it takes to launch a business in the midst of a pandemic, make us hopeful for Brooklyn's future," BPL President Linda E. Johnson said. "We are extremely grateful to Dime Community Bank for helping them realize their dreams.”

The PowerUp competition includes a grand $20,000 prize and a series of "merit awards" with $1,000 of seed money. After 90 entries, the entrepreneurs were asked to pitch their business ideas in front of a panel of business owners, nonprofit leaders and academics.

The grand prize went to Megan Meza for Bandida, a bottled ready-to-drink non-dairy coffee sweetened by dates.

Here's a look at the merit winners:

• Sylvia's Community Kitchen, healthy cooking classes for families in East New York created by Ashanti White and Vanessa Dixon. Dixon and White got an additional $1000 for winning the audience favorite award.
• Andrew Vogel and Jack Rafalski for Big Bad Evil Gaming, a 3-D printing service for high-quality miniatures for Dungeon and Dragons and other games
• Marshay Clarke for Buzzoms, trendy braless wear that is cut, styled and designed for women with D+ busts
• Diana Hilaire for When She Comes Home, gift boxes of products and services for new and expectant mothers
• Alexander Dwinell for The Word is Change, a bookstore for new and used books in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood.

PowerUP! has awarded more than 125 entrepreneurs and a total of $450,000 since it began in 2003. Success stories from previous winners include Bogota Latin Bistro, Island Pops, Green in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Tea, Tinsel Experiential Design, DogSpot and Greenlight Bookstore.

All participants attended classes on subjects like marketing, business finance and the utilization of library resources. They also received one-on-one business plan assistance from successful entrepreneurs and business experts.