Stephen Reeve runs New York Cafe in Ketchikan, Alaska — the state’s longest operating restaurant. It was built more than 120 years ago by adventurer Tony Ohashi.
This legacy business received funds from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program in 2024. Grant funds were used to restore the restaurant’s facade and document its 120 year history, reports Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
Backing Historic Small Restaurants is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is supported by American Express. The program helps small and independent restaurants preserve their histories while celebrating their cuisine and supporting the local economy.
In 2024, 50 small restaurants each received $50,000 grants. Many of the 2024 grant recipients included businesses that are family owned or have been operating for generations.
Applications for the next round of grants will open in May 2026.
More on supporting local downtown businesses appears regularly in the pages of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
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