Memphis, Tenn. (August 28, 2020) – It was started in 2018 to help immigrant and refugee food entrepreneurs set up a food business with no upfront costs. Today, Global Café has become a popular spot for Memphis foodies.
But just like so many other restaurants across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll.
“Our sales and revenue have been sliced in half,” said owner Sabine Langer. “Our customers, a big part of which included all of the people working at Crosstown Concourse, disappeared overnight when employers sent their employees home.”
The restaurant has also had to cut five employees. The majority of its employees are immigrants and refugees from Mexico, Somalia, Sudan, Switzerland and Venezuela.
Langer said the business has introduced delivery and take-out options to adapt to the changes. “We have a loyal following and customers come to pick up food from us or have it delivered.”
Today, Global Cafe received an $8,000 NEED Grant from EDGE.
“This grant will help us keep our doors open,” said Langer.
Global Café is the fifth business located in Crosstown Concourse to receive assistance from EDGE. Others include MemPops, which also received a grant today, Crosstown Curb Market, I Love Juice Bar and Cheryl Pesce: The Lifestyle Store.
The restaurant was one of 11 businesses approved for a grant today, others include:
- Tamboli’s LLC
- Calvin’s Nails
- Square Pops, LLC
- Mr. T’s Specialty Meats
- All About You Family Practice LLC
- The Sol Studio and Bikram Yoga Memphis
- Fancy Nails
- Portermade Cleaning Service
- The Nail and Skin Bar, Inc.
- Upscale Kutz LLC
To date, EDGE has awarded $691,700 to 123 businesses throughout Memphis’s most vulnerable neighborhoods; 100 of those (81%) are minority and women-owned businesses.
The Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development (NEED) Grant was created to provide relief to small businesses, located in Memphis’ most vulnerable neighborhoods that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
