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Five West Queen West Small Restaurants to Receive Financial Support as Part of Amex-Backed Grant ProgramFunds will support owners disproportionately impacted by the pandemic to help recover and grow their businesses. TORONTO, May 18, 2022 /CNW/ - American Express Canada is pleased to announce the five independent restaurants that will each receive an $18,500 CAD grant as part of a new program run by the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation and the West Queen West Business Improvement Area (BIA), supported by American Express. The initiative is part of American Express' global 'Backing International Small Restaurants' grant program to support culturally significant, independent restaurants owned by individuals from underrepresented groups in five major cities globally, that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. In Toronto, IDA Foundation worked in partnership with the West Queen West BIA to select the grant recipients from within the district's boundaries. The selected restaurants will receive $18,500 CAD each to help them recover from the effects of the pandemic and to make critical improvements needed to sustain their operations, such as enhancing digital capabilities, making physical improvements, and building outdoor dining spaces. David Downey, Executive Director, IDA Foundation, says: "The IDA Foundation is pleased to support the recovery of these restaurants who contribute to the identity and vitality of their local community. We look forward to seeing these businesses thrive once again and are inspired by their resilience which enables them to bring people of the neighborhood together." Rob Sysak, Executive Director of the West Queen West Business Improvement Area says: "West Queen West has always celebrated and prided itself on being known for the diversity of business owners, and the products and services they offer. We are very appreciative to the IDA and Amex for this valuable support for some of our most deserving members and helping provide some of the resources to help them recover from the pandemic, prepare for the future, and continue to contribute to the vitality of our exciting neighbourhood." Kerri-Ann Santaguida, General Manager and Vice President of Merchant Services, American Express Canada added: "We are thrilled to provide these independent restaurants with well needed financial support as they prepare for the upcoming summer season. Backing small businesses is an integral part of who we are, and we are excited to see Toronto's restaurant industry continue to grow, thrive, and contribute even more to the vibrancy of our neighbourhoods." The 'Backing International Small Restaurants' program builds on American Express' wider Backing Small initiative to provide economically vulnerable small businesses with financial support and other resources to address critical needs and challenges. In 2021, the company announced 'Backing Historic Small Restaurants,' a similar program in the United States to support the recovery and long-term success of historic small restaurants in the U.S. Additional programs include American Express' Shop Small campaign, a global movement to spotlight and support small, independent businesses, as well as Amex Canada's local Blueprint: Backing BIPOC Businesses mentorship and grant program to support the advancement of BIPOC-owned businesses across Canada. The grant recipients include:
ABOUT THE IDA FOUNDATION ABOUT THE WEST QUEEN WEST BIA ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS IN CANADA SOURCE American Express Canada |