REMINDER: SF Shines Applications Due This Week

This is a reminder for all Third Street merchants that if you are interested in receiving the city grant for facade and/or inside improvements of your Third Street business, the application for the grant is due THIS FRIDAY, February 26th.  The details of the program are below:

• Up to $13,500 grant for facade improvement awardees (with a 25% match by the business)
• Up to $25,000 grant for tenant (inside) improvement awardees (with a 25% match by the business)

What your business needs in order to apply:

• detailed list of what the funds would be used for
• executive summary
  • brief description of your business, products & services, highlights, history, & achievements
• Personal Resume
  • from each person owning 30% or more of the business
• Proof of insurance
• Copy of your most recent business bank statement
  • this will be used to verify that you have the match funds
• Copy of complete, signed, and dated federal business tax returns past 2 years with all attachments and schedules (if applicable)
• monthly income statement projections for next 2 years

For applicants who are building owners:

• copy of grant deed
• proof of property insurance
• copy of long term lease with merchant
• proof of “Good Standing” with mortgage company

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, feel free to call the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center’s Bayview office for any assistance you may need in applying: (415) 647-3728.  Good luck!

Frisco Fried Grand Opening TOMORROW – 50% Off Everything!

Friday, February 5^th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm at 5176 Third Street (@ Thomas Avenue)

On Friday, February 5^th, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm, the Bayview-Hunters Point community will welcome its newest addition to the Third Street corridor as it celebrates the grand opening of Frisco Fried – a brand new, locally owned business in the Bayview at the corners of Third Street and Thomas Avenue.  Frisco Fried is the first business of lifelong Bayview resident Marcel Banks and his uncle Gregory Banks.

At the age of 38, Marcel Banks and his uncle began talking about opening a restaurant together in the Bayview district of San Francisco.  But before putting their plans into action, Marcel was sent to prison.  While in prison, Marcel decided to get serious about turning his dream into a reality.

After being released, Marcel and his uncle made their first visit to the Bayview Business Resource Center (now known as the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – Bayview) where they were walked through the process of how to start a business.  They began taking classes, writing a business plan, and negotiating a lease with a local property owner.  And two years later, they will finally be opening the doors of their restaurant to the public.

The grand opening of Frisco Fried Soul Food Restaurant will take place at its location on the corners of Third Street and Thomas Avenue between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Friday, February 5^th, 2010.  During this time, everything in the restaurant will be half off.  Community leaders, city officials, and other dignitaries will be in attendance throughout the event.  The official ribbon cutting will take place promptly at 3:00pm.

SPONSORS INCLUDE:

Bayview Merchant Association (BMA), Third Street Corridor Project (TSCP).

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If you’d like more information about this event or to schedule an interview with the business owner or event coordinators, please contact Ben Kaufman at (415) 647-3728 x407 or via email at ben@rencenter.org.