Cashing In With The S.I.P. (Storefront Improvement Program)

The OBMA puts on a Marketing Breakfast every winter, where they bring in a speaker (or two) to give a powerpoint presentation on ways to build your brand & get your name out there.  It was held on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, so Kate & I usually had to work or were sleeping in on a day off.  

But, in 2019, one of the speakers at the event, was one of our regular customers at the Civic Plaza market.  In our short interactions with Joselyn, we found out about the city's "Storefront Improvement Program," or S.I.P.

"Anyone who is building or remodeling their storefront can apply," she explained.  "It's basically a grant from the city & if you guys get approved, they'll pay for half of your eligible construction costs."

"Whoa- they'll pay half," Kate said.

"Yeah, but the max they'll pay is $8,000," Joselyn said.  "Is your shop in a historical building?  I used to work down the street in OB at South Coast & some of those building are considered historical."

"I'm not sure, but I can find out.  Why?" I asked.

"Well, if your building is over 100 years old, they'll pay you for two-thirds of the eligible buildout up to $12,000 max," she said.

I looked into it later, & our building was not registered as a historic place.  But, it was pretty easy to apply for the S.I.P. online.  It only took me about 20 minutes or so to answer the questions & submit my application.  By the time Kate & I went to our first marketing breakfast at the OB Playhouse, we were able to vouch for Joselyn's presentation on the program.

"Kate & Zach from Mad Munch have recently applied & are waiting to hear back," Joselyn told the audience.

Eric helped us submit an estimate of our construction costs right at $16,000 so that we'd be eligible for the full $8K.  A friend of his helped us create a rendering of what the new front of our building would look like. This was our copy: 

You should always check with your local city, county or state for these kinds of grant programs.  Like my dad says, "The word 'Grant' basically means free money."  

Mad Munch was granted that free sum of $8,000 a couple months later & quickly but that money to use on building our new storefront entryway, complete with an alcove & new windows.