Businesses can work with the town to apply for the same grants.
DEL MAR – Coray Kitchen, Del Mar’s most popular new eatery, has been awarded $75,000 in New York State Business Expansion and Startup Grants. Co-owner Casey Carroll said the grant will offset the cost of expanding outdoor seating and other restaurant improvements. Carol worked with the City of Bethlehem to submit a grant application to the state.
Carroll plans to use the $75,000 to fund renovations that will cost about $200,000. Renovations include adding 25 to 35 seats to Coray Kitchen's backyard patio. Currently, the restaurant's indoor capacity is 46 people. Carroll expects the additional seating will increase diner capacity by about 75% and the patio will be open for “three seasons.”
She said the expanded dining patio “provides a safe and quiet place to eat and is within walking distance to the Railroad Trail, Four Corners and many nearby neighborhoods.” She added: “It’s such a great space to offer to the community.” She hopes to have the patio open by summer and will ensure service to patrons will not be interrupted during the renovation.
Korey's Kitchen will also use the grant to fund new kitchen equipment and an expansion of its outdoor “edible landscaping.” Carol is currently partnering with 9 Mile Farm to provide flowers, she said. The expansion will include a “chef's garden” that will offer herbs and produce such as tomatoes and sweet potatoes “to help restaurants connect customers with their food.” Carroll said the chef's garden has the added benefit of supporting pollination and native species, she said.
Opening in November 2023 in a former pharmacy at Four Corners, the restaurant serves locally sourced cuisine with international flavors. “We believe our grant application was successful as the community is looking for more ways to come together around food,” Carroll said. Through our work, we can bring economic development and expand the number of people we serve and the ways they connect. Rob Leslie, director of economic development and planning for the city of Bethlehem, said the successful application reflects the proposed project's need for “restaurant expansion based on the short-term success since opening in November.” ” he said.
Under the terms of the grant, Leslie explained, the town must submit the grant and act as grant administrator and monitor. For every $25,000 awarded, the company must hire one low-income or moderate-income full-time employee. In this case, Coray Kitchen would need to hire three full-time employees for her.
Mr. Carroll thanked the town for its assistance in identifying funding opportunities and for its efforts in considering grants.
Carroll said she doesn't know when she will receive her refund, but plans to begin renovations in mid-May and complete the expansion project by mid-to-late June. After incurring costs, Coray Kitchen must document them to the town, which then submits that information to the state, which then receives funds that are passed on to recipients. Leslie said the resources the town puts in are “valuable for our business.”
Leslie also said Bethlehem could submit BEST grant applications on behalf of other local businesses, as applications are accepted on a rolling basis by the state. “When companies decide the time is right, they can work with us to develop an application,” Leslie said. Although the maximum amount of grants awarded is $750,000, Leslie said companies must submit a detailed proposal that describes their expansion needs, can financially offset the remaining costs of the project, and is subject to the grant's provisions. He made it clear that he could promise employment on the street.
In 2016, Garden Bistro was the last Bethlehem business to win a BEST grant, but at the time it went by a different name. Working with the town, they were able to secure $25,000. Leslie said if businesses are interested in applying for a BEST grant, they should contact him to start a conversation. “We’ll see where it goes from there,” he said.
As for Korey Kitchen, Carroll is looking forward to developing “surprises” for patrons, perhaps including offering lilacs. “We want to tell good stories about the circumstances around us, and this expansion gives us the opportunity to do that,” Carroll said. Guests can see and smell the food, impacting their dining experience. ”
