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Sarah Cole, owner of Abadir’s in Greensboro, Ala., is using her grant funds to renovate her restaurant. Greensboro, Alabama © Sarah Cole
Sarah Cole, owner of Abadir’s in Greensboro, Ala., was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Abadir’s is a pop-up eatery specializing in seasonal and wholesome baked goods influenced by Egyptian traditions and flavors combined with inspiration from true Southern cuisine. They received an initial $5,000 grant and a $25,000 Enhancement Grant, given to grantees for an opportunity to create transformative change within their business and community. In this Q&A, you’ll learn how Sarah and her team used grant funding to renovate the space and upgrade equipment, adding space and capacity to provide a community gathering space and healthy food hub for the surrounding community.
Tell us about how you used your initial grant funding.
I used the grant for much-needed renovations to our building. The grant allowed us to repair exterior damage, which was not only an eye sore, but was leading to excessive deterioration due to natural elements. The funding also enabled us to make interior improvements that have allowed us to welcome more guests to our building at its current stage.
We worked on a tight budget while keeping good design in mind. Inspired by Auburn University’s Rural Studio, an architecture program located in our community focused on sustainable, forward-looking design, we used repurposed wood to rebuild the porch ceiling in a way that is durable, thanks to the addition of ventilation, and aesthetically pleasing.
Until we received this grant, my husband and I had been doing most of the work ourselves, which was extremely challenging to do while also working to build a sustainable business. The grant allowed us to remove some of that burden all while supporting our community by hiring local contractors and electricians to execute major work.
How has your project impacted your business and community?
I offer wholesome, seasonal baked goods and light fare all influenced by my half-Egyptian, half-Southern roots. Although I can cook in the space, I have been unable to sell my products at the cottage, which forces me to rely on other spaces to share my product. Thanks to this grant funding, we were able to make important repairs and renovations to the property that allowed me to host Abadir’s first pop-up in the space. This allowed me to sell locally, a big goal of mine, and give residents a chance to see the progress taking place. During the pop-up, Abadir’s offered wholesome seasonal lunch items, for dine-in and take-out. The space was filled with people all day, and most visitors wanted to stay and enjoy the dining room.
Abadir’s is a way for me to share my cultural roots through food, while providing critical resources to the region I call home. However, the rotted wood and hanging fascia on our little cottage looked bad for business and had a negative impact on our neighborhood. This grant gave the space the lift it needed, and several members of the community have stopped to comment on how great the exterior of the property looks. There is a lot of excitement about what we’re working to create in Greensboro. This exterior repair gave our community an opportunity to see real work being done. Our residents want to see this town thrive. Taking care of this property is important for us personally, and for our community as well. People are constantly stopping to admire the changes and ask questions about the business and what we’re working to create. These updates have also allowed our small business to make a statement that aligns with our mission, while restoring a property in our historic downtown.
The biggest reward from this funding;, however, is the personal joy in seeing real work taking place in the renovation and remodeling of the space. I have been waiting for such a long time to get things moving with the building. This work makes my dreams more of a reality, which gives me the energy and excitement I need to keep powering forward.
This grant has allowed us to take real steps toward renovating and building-out the future Abadir’s space, which will operate as a multi-use food hub for Greensboro and neighboring communities. We are working to build a thriving local business, a purpose-driven food-focused operation, that can help support the growth and revitalization of our beautiful historic downtown district.
Once an eyesore in the heart of downtown Greensboro, our little historic cottage is now the talk of the town. Residents and visitors are constantly stopping by to admire the property and ask questions about Abadir’s and our future plans. This grant has given us the chance to begin restoration of an important piece of our community’s history, giving our town a little boost of encouragement for the future. With these updates, we can now host customers in the space for regular pop-ups until the building is fully ready to operate on a more regular basis. The Abadir’s Cottage is located in a heavily trafficked area in downtown, and it is important that we enhance our community not only through our work as a small, locally owned business, but as the caretakers of a historical piece of property. I want our community to find joy in the spaces and places they see every day, and I want our visitors to love our town during their time here.
You were one of 25 Enhancement Grant recipients, awarded $25,000 grants to help further transform your business. Tell us about how you used this funding.
We purchased a large cooler that will ensure we are able to share a space with other chefs, educators, and organizations who want to use our space. It will also give us the opportunity to provide a range of educational food-based programs to the community and visiting chefs will have the cold storage needed to operate in the space successfully. We can now also serve as a CSA drop-off/pick-up spot for regional farmers.
By expanding our capacity with the support of this grant, we will provide better food options to our community on a more regular basis through grab-and-go options in our retail cooler, meal prep programs for residents through partnering nonprofits, and/or our small-batch restaurant service throughout the month. The walk-in cooler allows for proper storage for all the options we plan to provide. Our space will also be used for free community lunches and small food distribution services by local and regional organizations. We are working with local nonprofits, Black Belt Food Project and the Rural Studio Farm, to build this program, and ample amount of cold storage is a requirement for this community opportunity to take place.
What impact have you seen since implementing this project?
One of my biggest concerns when we designed the layout of the space was storage. Since we’re building a collaborative space, proper equipment and creating designated, usable spaces for everyone was key to a proper flow. Right now, we use cheap, old fridges to store our food products, and while they somewhat work at this stage, they won’t serve our needs in the next stage of this venture. We need ample cold storage to accommodate all that we’re working to accomplish in this space, which is why a walk-in cooler is vital to our growth. More importantly, this cooler will also provide storage space for other chefs, educators and growing businesses who will be utilizing our multi-use community kitchen. The enhancement grant has allowed us to move forward with a big project that I honestly didn’t think would happen for several more years. It’s so exciting to get this major project done all while we complete the first real stage of our kitchen buildout. This project will allow Abadir’s to expand into small-scale manufacturing by providing proper storage. It’ll give us space to welcome other chefs into our space, allowing plenty of space for everyone to share. It’ll give us the space needed to operate as a CSA pickup location for a local farm. Extra funds from the grant will go toward the purchase of fridges for our fun retail space, which will feature wholesome grab-and-go options and take-home meals from Abadir’s kitchen as well as regional chefs and cottage industry folks. I’m working to create a vibrant community space that’s centered around good food for our community and all who visit, and this enhancement grant has allowed me to take giant steps forward in making that vision a reality.
Urban Impact Inc., harnesses strategic investments and collaborative efforts to foster a vibrant and sustainable future, from visionary adaptive reuse ventures to transformative development grants for small businesses and property owners in Birmingham, Alabama's historic 4th Avenue Black Business District.
In the last episode of season two of Main Street Business Insights, tune in as host Matt Wagner breaks down how to understand and synthesize local market data.
Sterling Main Street launched a brick and mortar retail incubator spaces. Executive Director Janna Groharing shares lessons they learned about organization, fundraising, and outreach.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Glen Ellis, owner of Sycamore Education, Dominion Catalyst Services, and Milady Coffeehouse in Fremont, Nebraska.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jaime Courtney, President of Shoalwater Seafood, Derek King, Oyster Farm Director of Shoalwater Seafood, and Shane Thomas, Tribal Council Vice Chair of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
In this episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, Matt sits down with Casey Woods, Executive Director of Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Kansas.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Nicole Fleetwood and McKinzie Hodges, co-owners of Scratch Made Bakery in Amarillo, Texas.
Tylisya Gober, owner of Barbie Behavior Boutique in Oak Park, Mich., was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Barbie Behavior is a women’s clothing boutique specializing in celebrity-inspired attire.
Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability in Englewood, Colorado, was a 2023 Backing Small Businesses grantee. Brewability is an inclusive brewery and pizzeria that employs adults with disabilities to brew craft beer.
We’re excited to announce that Main Street America will continue to offer virtual and on-demand small business training in 2024 through an evolved program, the Small Biz Digital Trainers program.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability, an inclusive craft brewery and pizzeria that employs adults with disabilities based in Englewood,
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Jennifer Jones, co-owner of Good Times Coal Fired Pizza and Pub in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Bobby Boone, founder and Chief Strategist of &Access. Based in New Orleans, La., &Access creates data-driven and design-centric retail real estate solutions for historically excluded entrepreneurs and under-invested neighborhoods.
New Orleans, Louisiana © Bobby Boone
Tasha Sams, Manager of Education Programs, shares highlights of phase one of the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3) in Rural Main Streets Program and the biggest takeaways from the workshop experiences.
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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Janet Hurn, co-founder of Future Ready Consulting in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cincinnati, Ohio © Janet Hurn
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Roja Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Matt Wagner, Ph.D., shares his predictions for the trends impacting small businesses in 2024.
Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner, Ph.D., shares his predictions for the trends impacting small businesses in 2024.
A podcast featuring some of the best advice we heard from entrepreneurs and community leaders across the country.
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Charlotte, NC © Pixabay
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Laramie, WY © Laramie Main Street Alliance
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Matt sat down with Anette Soto Landeros, co-owner of Casa Azul Coffee and President and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Matt Wagner sat down with Harvey Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of Delta Dirt Distillery in Helena, Arkansas.
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© Allapattah CDC
Get ready to support your small business owners and encourage people to shop small this November!
Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Keith McDonald Plumbing in Milledgeville, Ga., Lindsay Goodson McDonald.
Learn how the South Carolina Coordinator Program is uplifting small businesses across the state with their dedicated e-commerce platform.
© Main Street South Carolina
Matt Wagner sat down with The Barbershop Conversation podcast team, co-hosts Kenneth Bentley and Davion Hampton along with executive producer Emory Green Jr., in Goldsboro, Florida.
From a cat cafe to a computer repair shop and museum, check out these innovative small businesses from across the Main Street network.
© Historic Valley Junction
This three-week live, online course will prepare local leaders to more effectively work with small business owners in their districts and create an environment that is supportive of entrepreneurship.
© Notice Pictures
Main Street America has a podcast! Tune into Main Street Business Insights to hear from small business leaders across the country.
Meet the 2023 recipients for the Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express, to provide financial support to small business owners to address critical needs and make a positive impact in their local communities.
In partnership with Grow with Google, our digital coaches will work with businesses in their home states, with a focus on those that operate in small towns and rural communities.
Congratulations to these innovative Shop Small events from across the Main Street network.
Stockbridge, GA © Stockbridge Main Street
Spencer Main Street's Main Street Micro Grants is injecting key funding into their small business ecosystem.
Spencer, IA © Spencer Main Street
Check out a deep dive into the results of our Spring 2023 Small Business Survey, plus insights to help inform the work of local leaders supporting entrepreneurs on Main Street.
Meet the communities who have been chosen to receive entrepreneurial support from Main Street America and the Kauffman Foundation.
We spoke to Debbie Ho, Executive Director at Chinatown Main Street, to learn about the history of women in Boston Chinatown.
Boston, MA © Kyle Klein
From program budgets to big achievements, here's the latest data on the Main Street Movement in 2023.
Franklin, TN © Brandon Jean
Learn how Downtown Inc and York County Economic Alliance are supporting marginalized small business owners in their community
York, PA © Sully Pinos
Meet Backing Small Businesses grantees Kim and Chris Casteel of Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics based in Detroit, Michigan.
Short stories about small business owners from Evart, Michigan.
Evart, MI © Storyville
Matt Wagner looks back at his small business predictions for 2022 and shares predictions for 2023.
Learn about the City of Boston’s efforts to invest in economic equity.
Learn how this West Virginia community redirected façade improvement funds to revive local commercial kitchens.
Matt Wagner wrote an article for the OECD blog on how can small business owners can combine digital tools with the power of place to find sustainable success.
Inspired by a session at the 2022 Main Street Now Conference, Main Street Ottumwa has launched the Business Builder Academy, an entrepreneurship course to help aspiring business owners start their ventures.
Ottumwa, IA © Main Street Ottumwa
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We spoke to three women who were awarded Inclusive Backing grants to learn more about their passions, their businesses, and their advice for other women.
Wixom, MI © Carissa Serylo
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Oceanside, CA © Road West Photography
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Colville, WA © Colville Together
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Camden, AR © Kimberly Moore Davis
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Silver City, NM © Silver City MainStreet
Main Street Skowhegan opened their new Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship, a downtown space for co-working, meeting, entrepreneurial support, trainings, and education.
Skowhegan, ME © Kristina Cannon
Main Street America is proud to support the Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act
Main Street America's research team shares the results of the 2022 Small Business Survey.
© JENNIFER E. WOLF
Learn about Show of Hands, an entrepreneurial program in multiple Main Street communities.
Wheeling, WV © Wheeling Heritage
Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner, Ph.D., shares his predictions for the trends affecting small businesses in 2022.
Is your Main Street ready for the biggest small business shopping day of the year?
Main Street Charles City organizes their annual 'WonderFall' event, a business decorating contest designed to have some fun with the autumnal season as well as provide a reminder of the importance of curb appeal in attracting the public’s attention.
Charles City, IA © Mark Wicks
Leverage NC, a partnership between North Carolina Main Street and the North Carolina League of Municipalities, hosted a four-part webinar series titled Better Community Planning & Economic Development led by Ed McMahon, Chair Emeritus of Main Street America and a leading national authority on land use policy and economic development.
Main Street Arkansas has brewed a new engaging way for tourists and residents alike to explore local Arkansas commercial districts: the Main Street Arkansas Coffee Trail.
Little Rock, AR © Main Street Arkansas
Matt Wagner explores how Main Streets can navigate workforce concerns in the post-pandemic economy.
We spoke with two Black entrepreneurs in UrbanMain commercial districts: L. May Creations in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and The Four Way in south Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis, TN © Four Way
Heart of Biddeford shares the strategies they developed to support Black-owned businesses in their community.
Biddeford, ME © Heart of Biddeford
We heard from organizations across the nation about the incredible impact their markets have had on community engagement, entrepreneur and small business support, and keeping their district vibrant.
The global pandemic gave us all a glimpse of a further dispersed future – a time when you don’t sit in a classroom at school, watch movies in a theater, or even go to the grocery store. Where do Main Streets fit in that model?
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
Being the only person in the know can be fun, exhilarating even. Except when you are the one person out of 600+ in a room and you know bad news is coming.
Fritz the dog has made his way into the hearts of the residents of LaBelle, Florida, and helped our Main Street Community find a way to make what we do more noticeable.
Altavista On Track, the local Main Street organization, is working to cultivate and sustain local entrepreneurs with an educational business launch competition, Pop-Up Altavista 2.0.
In Winchester, Virginia, one woman’s vision and commitment to downtown’s revitalization created an innovative community space for the Creative Class.
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Main Street communities across the country are no stranger to seeking creative strategies to solve their most nagging issues – vacant buildings, marketing downtown, bolstering retail to name a few.
To understand the role that immigrant business owners play in Boston’s small business ecosystem, you need only to walk through any Boston Main Streets district.
Façade appearance is a critical aspect of the overall aesthetic appeal and unique character of downtown.
A lot of signs are necessary to make a downtown work well, but not every community knows what a good sign system looks like, or how instrumental it can be to the creation of a successful downtown.
Main Street Iowa, a program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center, created a one-of-a-kind three-year program to provide help for performance venues located in Main Street districts.
