historic kennett square small business response fund

Historic Kennett Square

Small Business Response Fund Impact Report

Photo credits: John Burdumy, coverKelly Giarrocco, p. 12 (Mrs. Robinson’s)Dylan Francis, p. 14 (Blue 52)

Histor ic Kennett square / 3

The Small Business Response Fund was born out of one man’s conviction that generosity seeds generosity—and that only by working together can we achieve significant community impact.

In the early days of the shutdown in April 2020, I had a conversation with Mike Bontrager, Square Roots Collective Team Leader and longtime community member. We talked about how our two organizations might work together to help Kennett small businesses. We knew that these businesses are far from being fragile. And indeed, as these past six months have shown, they’re enormously resilient. But we also knew that they would need support to weather the storm of COVID-19.

Mike likened a community to an ecosystem. When one element of an ecosystem is weak, everyone suffers. But when all are healthy, everyone can thrive. He also talked about his love for the Kennett community, the place he and his wife Dot have lived, worked, raised their daughters, and called home for decades now. And we talked about how each business owner and entrepreneur brings something invaluable and unique to this ecosystem, the Kennett community. But these business owners, their employees, and the families they support were already beginning to suffer. Because of the community’s deep interconnectedness, Mike knew it would take a broadly cooperative effort to help preserve, and ultimately strengthen, Kennett’s unique sense of place—of which our small independently owned businesses are an integral part.

I knew from my work with cities and towns across the country that he was right, but only weeks into the shutdown I was at a loss to fathom where we could even start. Before I could ask, Mike made a jaw-dropping offer. Up to $250,000 in matching funds. A quarter of a million dollars that could become half a million dollars to give as grants to small businesses in Kennett Square Borough and Kennett Township. All we had to do was find people willing to rise to the challenge of this single, overwhelming act of generosity.

Mike, our Economic Development Director Nate Echeverria, and I all knew that Kennett possesses enormous social capital. But as we began to formulate the plan that would become the Small Business Response Fund (SBRF), we also knew that in these exceedingly uncertain times we were about to test its limits. And that is where so many of you reading this report come in.

Thank You

4 / Histo ric Ke n n ett square

Impactgen·er·os·i·ty noun\je-nə-ˈrä-sə-tē, -ˈrä-stē\an act or instance of magnanimity

We were humbled and inspired by our community’s response to the SBRF. Perhaps even more impressive than the $267,800 that we were able to distribute in grants to 61 small businesses is another number that speaks volumes—we received donations from 279 different individuals, foundations, and corporate donors with connections, past or present, to the Kennett community. Mike was right. When we work together to help each other, we can accomplish great things. It’s been a privilege for Historic Kennett Square to partner with Square Roots Collective on the SBRF.

These pages contain telling facts and figures as well as inspiring stories from grant recipients whose gratitude, creativity, and resilience in the face of incredibly difficult circumstances speak volumes.

We know we speak for the entire community when we express our thanks to Mike—not only for his extraordinary generosity, but also for his caring and compassionate action that in many ways more than doubled the impact of each donation in our community.

Bo Wright Nate EcheverriaExecutive Director Economic Development DirectorHistoric Kennett Square Historic Kennett Square

“A community is an ecosystem.”—Mike Bontrager

Square Roots Collective


ImpactTotal Businesses Funded

61

Total Funds Disbursed

$267,800Average Number of Employees

7

Average Grant Amount

$4,390

Total Funds Requested

$682,961Total Number of Employees

407

*Funds measured in instances present on application.

SBRF by the Numbers

0 10 20 30 40

COVID Supplies

Covid Modifications (Physical)

Equipment

Other

Rent

Working Capital/OPEX

Payroll/Hiring

Use of Funds


SBRF by the Numbers% Household Sustaining

62%

% Open Two Years or Longer

82%

% Woman or Minority Owned

74%

% Open Five Years or Longer

59%

17%

34%

10%

7%

20%

12%

B u s in e s s Typ e

Retail Restaurant/Café

Grocery/Food Service Fitness/Martial Arts

Beauty/Wellness Other


SBRF by the Numbers% Receiving Assistance from Other Sources**

58%Median Assistance from Other Sources**

$4,222

% Receiving Rental Assistance

44% Average Assistance from Other Sources**

$20,610

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Lost Revenue 0-30%

Increased Costs

Houshold Sustaining Income Lost

Lost Revenue 30-50%

Cancelled Events/Reduced Services

Other

Closed (At Least Temporarily)

Lost Revenue Over 50%

Business Impacts of COVID-19

**E.g., PPP, EIDL, Borough relief, etc.

*Funds measured in instances present on application.


CreaAlondra’s Bakery ANCHOR life + fitnessBee Our GuestBlair’s Flooring by CraftsmanBlue 52 Barber ShopBraeloch BrewingBuddy’s Burgers Burton’s Barber ShopByrsa BistroCafé de ThaiCarlin Academy of Fine ArtCarlos Tienda Mexicana 3Carniceria CamargoClean Slate GoodsCreek Side DinerCurrie Hair Skin & Nails of Kennett SquareDeisy’s Cake ShopEl Ranchero Evergreen Café & BakeryFashion CutsFragale Brothers Barber ShopGarcia Monkey GarageGreen Eyed LadyHolly Peters Oriental Rugs KaboburritosKennett Square MassageKennett Square Resale Book ShoppeKim’s NailsKSQ Barber LoungeLa Michoacana GrillLa Peña La Verona Lawler’s Kenpo KarateLily’s Asian CuisineLots Of Lashes

“Many thanks to those who realized how interconnected we all are in

business. It has been a gift that pays itself back to others in need.”

—Jean ChamberlainModern Massage Works

SBRF Grant Recipients

MarchéMary Pat’s ProvisionsMattock School of Music Maura Grace BoutiqueModern Massage WorksMrs. Robinson’s Tea ShopNava CutzNo. 109 ShopPanaderia AztecaPenny Lane EmporiumPhilter CoffeePicone SpaPortabellos of Kennett SquareRevolution BJJReynolds CleanersRoll N’ Eat SushiRump RoastersSquare Pear Fine Art GalleryTalula’s TableTaqueria El Amigo IIThe BungalowTravelers Eats and SweetsTreetops Kitty CafeVerbena BYOBWork2getherYoga Secrets

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The Art of PivotingThe grant money helped me to transition the large back room of the gallery into a classroom that would allow for adequate social distancing for students. I bought new tables, chairs, and easels and enhanced lighting for that area. I now host acrylic painting classes for children daily at the gallery. Each student has their own table to work at, and with a maximum of only four students there is time for personal attention. I am enjoying teaching the children very much. I love

having a peaceful space where they can take their time and create what most interests them. I love watching them concentrate, watching them make their own special masterpiece, and the happiness they share when showing their creations to their parents. I am very thankful that I was able to pivot my business more in this direction.

—Corien SiepelingaSquare Pear Fine Art Gallery

tivity

Equ10 / Historic Ken ne tt sq ua r e

Safety First

I am very grateful for the financial assistance offered to me by Historic Kennett Square in partnership with Square Roots Collective. Massage therapy was one of the last businesses allowed to open (at only 50%) when we got to the green phase. We are still only allowed to operate at 50% capacity. Every day was/is filled with worry of how I would pay rent and utilities and take care of my family’s needs.

Receiving the grant allowed me to breathe and start seeing that I can survive this situation. I was able to purchase necessary supplies to keep my clients and myself safe and pay part of my back rent and utilities. I am thankful to say I am still in business and surviving! I am grateful to live and own my business in my hometown of Kennett Square!

—Stacy MadonnaKennett Square Massage

Yoga Secrets has used the SBRF grant to buy equipment to livestream classes to local practitioners as well as friends and family across the country. Our livestream capabilities allowed our studio to operate online almost continually throughout the pandemic. Especially during this stressful time, the services we have been able to provide with this new equipment have made a huge difference for our clients’ mental health and physical well-being.

We also invested in the newest, medical-grade HyperHEPA air purifiers from IQ Air. Air quality is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and the ability to provide the cleanest, safest environment for our clients is our number-one priority. Thank you for making it happen!

—Elizabeth GehrtYoga Secrets

ityEquHistoric Kennet t square / 11

Equitable RecoveryAs has been widely reported, Black and Latinx small business owners were less likely to receive support from CARES Act programs due to a variety of factors including language barriers, lack of available assistance resources, etc.* People from these historically disadvantaged communities were also three times more likely to contract the virus, making already significant economic opportunity gaps all the more acute. In short, the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, both nationally and here in Kennett. Based on self-reported data from SBRF grant recipients, Latinx small businesses in Kennett were significantly less likely to have received other small business support resources available from federal, state, and county sources.

With this understanding, a guiding principle of the SBRF was to promote a more “equitable recovery” in our community. That meant working strategically to ensure that resources from this pandemic response were available to historically disadvantaged groups as well as identifying and addressing traditional barriers to inclusion. To assist us in these efforts, Historic Kennett Square brought on Gabriela Newell, a graduate student in City Planning at the University of Pennsylvania, to lead outreach efforts to the Latinx community over the summer. Gabriela (Gaby) is a native Spanish speaker and tirelessly reached out to businesses in the Kennett area. HKS is also grateful to Julie Donofrio, Managing Director, PennPraxis, who facilitated this internship opportunity.

Through connecting with local Latinx business owners, it became apparent how much they love the businesses they run and being a part of the Kennett community. Many were thankful to Historic Kennett Square for providing the support which helps them continue to operate their local shops and engage with members of the community, even during the pandemic.—Gabriela María Newell

Design Fellow, PennPraxis

*Sources:Amy Liu et al., “Rebuild Better: A Framework to Support an Equitable Recovery from COVID-19,” July 23, 2020. Brookings.edu

Global Strategy Group for Color of Change and UnidosUs, “Federal Stimulus Survey Findings: The Black Response to COVID-19,” May 2020. theblackresponse.org

12 / Historic Ken ne tt sq ua r eOpport

Coffee and Tea

As far as financial support goes, the SBRF was the best thing to come across our screens since the beginning of the pandemic. What makes it so special is that it came with love from the community. We have each other’s backs in Kennett Square, and that has brought much-needed comfort.

We’ve made a lot of changes to keep Philter staff and customers safe, but our purchase of the La Marzocco KB90 with SBRF grant funds is the biggest. It helps us in the areas we identified as being most likely to keep the doors open and enables us to continue to serve our customers the highest quality beverages, more quickly, with far less waste—all that plus greatly improved consistency and far better ergonomics to reduce repetitive stress injuries for our baristas.

—Chris ThompsonPhilter Coffee

Asked to describe what it is like to live in Kennett Square and own a business here, I reply that it is like living in a Hallmark movie, and I pinch myself often to make sure I’m not dreaming.

When I consider the unexpected challenges of 2020 and the overwhelming support shown to small businesses by our beloved community, I am even more convinced that it is true. Words seem inadequate to express the gratitude for all that you have done.

As a grant recipient, we are grateful for the opportunity to invest in our storefront as we look forward to a brighter future for our beautiful town. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to preserving this one-of-a-kind community. Heartfelt thanks.

—Mrs. RobinsonMrs. Robinson’s Tea Shop


Resilience

I feel so grateful to those who donated to make these funds possible for us. We were only one year in business and heading in a great direction before the shutdown. We were very worried that was it for us. Travelers would have to close. Then I got word back from grants that I applied for and the SBRF was one that came through for us. I am pleased to announce we are still open and working our way back to where we were before the shutdown. None of this would have been possible without this generous support from people like you! We used the funds for supplies to get started again. We are fully open and making great food daily! Again, thank you so much for your support.

—Karen GarrisTravelers Eats and Sweets

The grant helped my business to survive during this challenging time. The funds took some of the stress off of me and I was able to focus a bit better on what I needed to do to keep my doors open. And I have been able to keep my doors open thanks to the generosity of the Square Roots Collective.

There has been a lot division and conflict this year, so it was inspiring to be part of something that relied on the generosity of strangers for a common purpose.

—Patty RichardsonLots Of Lashes

unity

The reality and challenges of unforeseen expenses don’t go away during a pandemic when there’s no extra margin to absorb those costs. For Maelby Fajardo, even plans for how to spend the SBRF grant required a pivot—but the grant enabled Taqueria El Amigo II to continue operating.

The grant helped us a lot and came at exactly the right time. Our food truck’s transmission broke and we needed a new one to continue our work. We couldn’t use the grant for what was expected because of the unexpected, but it was a really big help.

—Maelby FajardoTaqueria El Amigo II

14 / H isto ric Ke n nett square

Two Generations

I’m so grateful that people were willing to help us during hard times. We had to close for six weeks while we rearranged our set up and preparation area to keep both our customers and employees safe.

Thanks to the SBRF grant we were able to improve our patio area and buy umbrellas for people to sit and eat outside and also hire another person so we can follow all the necessary precautions and prepare take-out orders more quickly. In addition, we’re almost ready to launch an online ordering system and will be converting the side door into a pickup window which will also help keep everyone safer.

We couldn’t have done this without the support of our community. Thank you so much.

—Noelia ScharonMichoacana Grill

I’m glad I chose to open my new business in my hometown. When we were finally able to reopen, we were worried about how we would afford the supplies we needed to keep up the new standard. These were expenses we weren’t expecting, but the grant money enabled us to buy enough capes so every day each customer has a clean one, as well as a second set of tools so we can disinfect and alternate between customers. We’re also using some of the grant money to get our name back out there and get people excited to come back.

We’re super thankful—this has been a blessing for us.—Andres Avalos Scharon

Blue 52 Barbershop

Comm

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Expanding our shop’s hours and moving forward on our storefront’s makeover would not have fallen into place so quickly if it had not been for the SBRF grant. We are truly humbled and grateful to be a part of it, and are hopeful for what lies ahead for our Kennett community.

—Kari MatthewsClean Slate Goods

Makeover

Receiving this grant was such a wonderful gift from our Kennett community! Not only did it provide relief financially when we needed it most, but with the outpouring of support from those who contributed, it was also a wonderful reminder that this community stands with us business owners and wants us to succeed.

Personally, being awarded this grant bolstered my spirits while helping me look ahead to the future as well. Upon receiving the SBRF grant, we increased our payroll, hiring on our em-ployees for more hours as we expanded our shop’s hours.

We also used the funds to continue our storefront project which had been brought to an abrupt halt during the COVID-19 shutdown (our old awning had been removed in preparation for our facelift just days before the shutdown). The SBRF made it possible to hire a local carpenter to build and install a new facade above our shop windows, and a local sign company to create signage for our storefront. unity


Gratitude

I would first like to thank all of the donors in the community who supported this cause and Mike Bontrager at Square Roots Collective for your very generous matching funds. This is truly an amazing community and I am so thankful for the outpouring of support. This is truly the best community around and I can’t imagine having a business anywhere else.

The grant that we received helped to keep us in business and assisted with COVID-related protections that now include Vital Oxide fogging treatments and additional cleanings and sanitizer. This helped so much as we began a slow re-opening and have worked towards getting as close to “normal” as we possibly can during this time. Thank you all for your support.

—Charlene RichardsonANCHOR life + fitness

The Kennett Square Small Business Response Fund grant was a business-saver for me, and I’m sure it was also a blessing to all the local vendors who were willing to work with me by allowing payment on a delayed or ‘as-you-can’ basis. With the monies I received, I was able to pay all my service vendors for the three months of mandatory business shut-down. It has allowed me both to stay in business and to funnel the same monies donated into paying other local businesses—thus keeping their income streams flowing as well.

Many thanks to those who realized how interconnec-ted we all are in business. It has been a gift that pays itself back to others in need.

—Jean ChamberlainModern Massage Works

Apprec

“It was inspiring to be part of something that relied on the generosity of strangers for a

common purpose.”—Patty Richardson

Lots Of Lashes

iationHistor ic Kennett square / 17

Jeremy AbelsonPeter AhlinBrian AlbertPamela AllensteinStaci AndersonKaren AntellKaren ArbaughBradbury ArnoldDavid AugustinMargaret AumentBeverly BachDiane BaileyCarolyn BailyStephen L. BakerTeddi BarclayJill BeechJohn & Debra BeleyKaren BelgamLaura BenincasaLinda BerndtCynthia BernhardtShazia BhatJames BiniaszBarbara BoltonGail BowdenWayne BraffmanBarbara BrainardJoan BristolKaren BrofeeJulie BuchananRobert BuckGary & Kathleen

BuehlerSteven ButlerJessica ButzgyNatale CaccamoRichard CairnsDonald CarlinoSherrie CarmonaJames CarracappaSarah CarusoJean ChamberlainVeronica ChavezDaniel ChowCathleen ChunDaniel ClappRebecca ClarkNorma Closs

Anne ColemanShannon CollinsBrian ConlyFrancis ConnorsKaren CookLinda CookLeonard & Wendy

CottonDawn CromptonAddie CummingsJanet CurranLauren DaitzmanStuart DaviesKathleen DeHavenRuthAnn DeveneyAmol DhargalkarDoug DoerflerDouglas DorenPaige DraperTara DuganEugenie C. DuPontCharles EffingerKristin EiseleToni EldrethSusan ElksMorgan EllithorpePatricia EvansCindy FaulknerRonal FenstermacherAndrea FinnSybille FischerDennis FisherSusan FisherJoel FishmanLaura FlorenceJoseph FortunatoNancy FoyAlyssa FrankJohn FrinkSuzanne GallagherEric & Mary Kay

GaverRick & Lisa GiaccoKaren GowenNancy & Michael

GravesPeter GrayClarke Green

Robert GriffinClare GuntherErik GustafssonRachel HaasKaren HahnJen HallEleanor HammondEwing HawkinsBarbara & David

HeckmanMargaret HennesMatt & Molly HenryBryan HenryCandace HeverlyErik HinesMike HollickPeggy HoughtalingCybil HoushSam HughesSuzanne HughsonGary & Barbara IrwinRavi JainRobert JansenAnn-Louise JefferyDebbra JohnsonRobert JohnsonDebbie JohnstonEdythe JoinesAshley KaneKevin & Leigh

KelleherDebby KernDonna KleinmanDonna KlingelhoferKathryn KlugHedvika KnothCarmen KnoxSharon KoldeJames & Shirley

KoterskiJane KrickCarolyn KriebelSamantha KulpKathleen LaffertyLisa LambertChristopher LarsenSusan LatimerPete & Sandy Lee

Richard LeffJennifer LelinskiMichael LiebmanJay LiskaCarol Ann LittleDavid LivingstonSheila LobisAnn LoftingSharon LovingJames MallonAlexandra MaloneKate MarcusJan MarkhamKaren MartinJohn & Margaret

MartinJennifer MartinRenee MastersEdward MatthewsKari MatthewsJillian MattioniClark & Kari MaxwellJoan McClintockRoxana McCloskeyMary McConnellKelly McConnellMargaret McCownSusan McCoyJohn MeadowsAron MegyeriDennis MeltonMelanie MillerKyra MillerBarbara MillerRosa MooreElizabeth MoroPamela MurphyCintra MurraySusan MyersLaurie MyersCheryl MyersDouglas NeillChristina NorlandBob NorrisKaylee O’BrienAnn OchsPatti & Dan OlenikLawrence Owens

Thank You to Our Donors

Thank You to Our DonorsJaime Del PalazzoVictoria PapiEileen ParsonageCathleen PeipherJoanne PepperTheodore Sue PetersJames PierceBarbara PizzalaSusan PorterChristina PowerAntwoine PowersJoan PrzywaraSuzanne PuseyCamila QuintanaSusan RambergAli RhodesKathy RileyPeter RittenhouseAdrienne RobertoKaren RodgersFrances RooseveltDori RoperFrederick RosenbergKelli RumboldElizabeth SarneckiKristin ScaliMatt SchlitzDave & Suzanne

SchurrRick SchwaljeKimberly ScicchitanoCayla SederDeborah ShanderaIlana ShipeAnne & Christian

SiemerJohn & Corien

SiepelingaBernard SimasekBarbara SimondsJennifer SimontonAllison SkiddAndrew & Tara SmithMorgan SmithCaroline SmithLindsay SnowEzekiel SpillaneKatherine Sprick

Kent SteevesCatherine StentaPam StephaniTerry StewartTorrey StifelVicky StockmanJustin StreeterTom SwettDuriel TalbertKristen TaminMatthew TaylorBarbara TaylorElizabeth ThomasAndrew ThriftStephen TinneyBarry TomasettiEstelle TracyLinda TraverLudmila VdovinaGrace VinciForrest WalkerShannon WardNance WeberKatherine WellnitzKathleen WileczekCatherine WilliamsSean WrightJoan WylieLuke & Jessica

Zubrod

The following businesses,

organizations, and foundations also gave generously to support

the SBRF:

• Bryn Mawr Trust• Coatesville Savings Bank• Core Family Practice• Davis Accounting• Fenstermacher & Co.• LGB Properties• Longwood Foundation• Longwood Rotary• Magik Meadows Charitable

Fund• Needham’s Mushroom

Farms• PNC Bank• State Street Pizza & Grill• Taste Kennett• WSFS

Thank you also to the SBRF Grant Review Committee:

• Edwin Castaneda, Student • Carrie Freeman, United Way of Southern

Chester County• Mary Kay Gaver, MacElree, Harvey, Ltd.• Lorenzo Merino, True Access Capital • James Miller, State Street Pizza & Grill• Bob Norris, Next Home, LP • Luke Zubrod, Square Roots Collective



thrive verb \ˈthrīv\to achieve growth or progress toward one’s own goal, to flourish

About Us

Historic Kennett Square (HKS) is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides expertise in community development and thought leadership with the goal of helping small businesses and the community thrive.

HKS maintains a strong social media presence and robust communications plan, and our community-building events include the Kennett Square Farmers Market, Third Thursday on State Street, and holiday programming, décor, and lighting. We also partner with various community organizations for events including the Murder Mystery Art Stroll and the Holiday Village Market. Our two major annual fundraisers are the Kennett Brewfest and Winterfest. As a community-based nonprofit, we also rely on sponsorship from local business partners for our operating costs.

At HKS we know that Kennett Square has the potential to be an inclusive, beautiful, and evolving community—where people from different backgrounds, generations, and walks of life can afford to live and contribute to the community, where new architecture complements old, where creativity flourishes, and where everyone can belong and prosper.

The SBRF has been a collaborative partnership between Historic Kennett Square and Square Roots Collective, two organizations deeply invested in helping Kennett and its citizens to thrive.

Square Roots Collective (SRC) is a collection of social enterprises that join in advancing our community toward an ecosystem in which everyone can thrive. This includes for-profit businesses, non-profit ventures, formal and informal partnerships, and associations with like-minded organizations—all united by a commitment to the holistic thriving of Kennett Square.

We are blessed to live in a community with so many individuals and organizations with the same desire to see our area thrive for all residents. Therefore, most of our projects and activities are in partnership or collaboration with like-minded organizations. This creates the opportunity for a larger and more holistic impact as well as nurturing trust within the community.

Our projects, which reflect our belief that Kennett’s small size should never limit our ability to creatively imagine and implement designs that encourage the comprehensive thriving of our community, revolve around three areas critical for successful communities: social impact, community development, and environmental stewardship. These projects include the Kennett Trails Alliance, the Southern Chester County Opportunity Network (SCCON), the Creamery of Kennett Square, and Voices Underground.

106 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348(610) 444-8188

HistoricKennettSquare.com@historickennett

historic kennett square small business response fund

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