The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Business sells mugs, awards $500 grants
A business that opened up in downtown Vermilion earlier this year has established a grant for other small businesses in the city to promote financial support.
Erie & Anchor, 5499 Liberty Ave., awarded about $2,000 of funds from the sale of Vermilion Strong mugs to a handful of businesses, according to owner Micah Roberts.
She said her business sold 140 mugs and gave away four $500 grants to businesses who applied.
Roberts said with her own business opening up in February then closing down again in March, Erie & Anchor depended mainly on online sales to keep afloat.
Businesses who didn’t have contingency plans or lack social media reach felt the financial burden of the mandated closures even more, she said.
“There was a heightened level of stress for these business owners,” Roberts said.
With that, she has been working with the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce and the Erie County Economic Development Corporation to develop the grant.
“For us, it’s important to make sure that we’re thoughtful in the intent behind it,” Roberts said.
To qualify, business owners filled out a short application, answering questions on how the novel coronavirus pandemic has impacted business and a proposed use of the grant money.
Roberts said 11 businesses applied for the grant and the winners were randomly chosen through a number generator on Aug. 3.
The winners of the grants will remain anonymous.
Roberts said her business is already working to start up a second round of grants later this year.
While those who wish to purchase the Vermilion Strong mugs to contribute to the grant funds must do so upon request, Roberts said the business could very well openly sell them again if the country is hit harder by the pandemic in the fall or winter.