American Express Is Granting $1 Million To Back Historic Small Restaurants

American Express and the National Trust For Historic Preservation are giving 25 historic independent U.S. restaurants $40,000 grants to put towards physical improvements and operating expenses. The grant totaling $1 million is back in its second year after great success in its inaugural launch. Since the pandemic, independent restaurants have had a tough time staying open. An estimated 90,000+ restaurants ended up shutting down permanently.

“These establishments have served their communities for decades, and they represent a diverse collection of cuisines and cultures that are integral to the fabric of their neighborhoods,” said Jennifer Skyler, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, American Express, and Chair of the American Express Foundation. “Backing small businesses is central to who we are, and we are proud to support these historically significant restaurants in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.”

“Backing Historic Small Restaurants” and “Backing International Small Restaurants” are part of American Express’ wider Backing Small initiative aimed to provide small businesses with financial support and other resources to address critical needs. Backing Small builds on American Express’ legacy for supporting small businesses, which includes initiatives such as Shop Small, the Coalition to Back Black Businesses, and the Inclusive Backing grant program. As these small restaurants rebound from the pandemic, they are seeing an increase in demand and return from customers. These grants will help historic restaurants make much-needed updates such as increasing staffing capacity, creating outdoor seating, or addressing deferred maintenance of their historic spaces to help serve their communities for years to come.

“The National Trust is pleased to partner with American Express in recognizing the irreplaceable value of these multi-generational small businesses which often sit at the center of their communities. These small restaurants reflect not just the histories of their neighborhoods but also their futures. They represent the dynamic and vibrant nature of preservation today, relevant to customers while deeply rooted in legacies of gathering around good food,” said Katherine Malone-France, Chief Preservation Officer, National Trust for Historic Preservation.

“Backing Historic Small Restaurants” grant program is funded by American Express and administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The 25 grantees were selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from a diverse group of historic and culturally significant restaurants that have been in business for at least 25 years and operate in historic buildings or neighborhoods. They include restaurants like Penn Brewery, which is majority women-owned and operates out of a facility that dates back to the 1800’s.

Recipient Mary Quillian Helms, Owner of Mr. Henry’s, plans on using the grant to help with building maintenance, “Over the past few years, maintenance funds were diverted to prioritize paying our employees and our suppliers. We are so appreciative that American Express has partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help longstanding neighborhood joints like Mr. Henry’s perform the kind of exterior maintenance that will keep us standing for years to come!” she exclaimed. “I’m using these funds to repair the brick patio, to address weathered wood siding and to properly fix an exterior waiter’s station damaged from a break-in attempted during the pandemic. This grant really helps us out!”

Another recipient Fathima Dickerson, co-owner of the Welton Street Cafe, echoes Helms sentiment around the importance of the grant to upkeep infrastructure. “We are grateful to be receiving this grant from American Express and The National Trust for Historic Preservation. With financial impacts from the pandemic and our issues with historic infrastructure, this grant will be instrumental in helping our cafe make crucial updates including installing a patio railing and new exterior doors to better serve our customers,” she shared.

Programs and grants like these allow for small, historic restaurants to keep going in times of financial hardships and economic uncertainties.