While COVID restrictions at restaurants are a thing of the past — hopefully — nine businesses on Whidbey Island recently received more than $280,000 in grants to help them weather the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.
The state Department of Commerce announced this week that $79 million in pandemic relief grants were distributed to 1,493 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Alan Licht, owner of the Tyee Restaurant and Motel in Coupeville, said his business was likely at the top of the queue because he didn’t received funding in any of the other rounds of grants.
In the latest round of grants, the Tyee was awarded $40,000, which he said will help with upgrading equipment and dealing with the rising costs of food.
“It’s really helped us to stabilize,” he said.
A Department of Commerce report states that the pandemic’s impact on the hospitality industry was particularly dramatic due to continued operational challenges making it difficult for many restaurants, hotels and small hospitality businesses to fully recover.
Commerce Director Mike Fong pointed out that many small businesses are family owned, “providing a key pathway to building generational wealth.”
“Today, even as pressure from the direct financial impact of the pandemic is easing,” he said, “small business owners are faced with ongoing obstacles as they adapt to new business models and uncertainties around workforce, supply chain disruptions and other challenging economic conditions.”
During the course of the pandemic, Commerce distributed a total of $437 million to more than 29,000 small businesses during five rounds of Working Washington Grants and one round of Resiliency Grants. Small businesses in Island County received $3.8 million.
In addition to the Tyee, fellow Coupeville restaurant Ciao received a $24,000 grant.
The Inn at Langley received $103,000, which was the largest in the county, according to the Department of Commerce. Also in Langley, Village Pizzeria was awarded $42,000 and Sprinklz got $7,500.
In Oak Harbor, Frasers Gourmet Hideaway in Oak Harbor was awarded $19,000; Rustica Italian Restaurant received $14,000; and Riverside Cafe II got $11,000.
So far this summer, restaurant businesses have been doing well on Whidbey.
“Business seems to be kind of pre-COVID-ish,” Licht said.
