When the Acebedo family decided to open a coffee shop featuring the flavors of their native Colombia, they thought they would have to build out the Avondale storefront themselves. Thanks to a Community Development Grant that covered Magnifico Coffee’s construction costs, the family instead focused on sourcing the best Colombian coffee and finding local artists to highlight on a gallery wall.  

Magnifico Coffee opened its doors in Avondale in March 2023 and serves locally made pastries, with coffee grown by two women-owned Colombian farms and roasted in-house, along with Colombian pastries. 

For the past four decades, vegans and omnivores alike have turned to Soul Veg City in Chatham for its healthy, plant-based soul food. The restaurant introduced thousands of people to vegan cuisine in an area where healthy food options can be hard to find.  

Because of Community Development Grant funding, the owners of Soul Veg City were able to open a second location, Vegan Now 2 Go, in South Shore. The restaurant focuses on plant-based goodness for on-the-move customers.