$9.1M In Lifeline Federal Grants Went To Forest Hills' Eateries

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Nearly 50 Forest Hills-based food business received lifeline grants from the federal government as part of the COVID-recovery packaged passed in January, new data shows.

The grants came from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a $28.6 billion fund aimed at supporting the devastated hospitality industry as part of the national COVID-19 Stimulus Package. Forest Hills' recipients, which received grants ranging from $2,900 to over $1 million, were revealed last week by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

In total 5,700 New York City food businesses received federal grants totaling $2.8 billion, but the now-depleted fund still shut out nearly two-thirds of applicants statewide, despite allocating some of the largest grants to franchises and well-funded restaurant groups.

Funding discrepancies

27,000-plus food businesses in New York requested $9.63 billion in funding from the SBA, but the agency was only able to fulfill 9,800 applications in the state.

And, based on the grant structure, some of the New York establishments that received the most money from the fund are among the country's most well-known and well-funded eateries.

Single venue food businesses were eligible for up to $5 million in funding, and restaurant groups with fewer than 20 locations could apply for up to $10 million, which explains why David Chang's billionaire-backed Momofuku restaurant group secured a $6.8 million grant even though the average loan size was about $283,000, as Eater reported.

Also, while publicly traded companies weren't eligible for funding, franchise owners could apply for the SBA grants — and they did.

In Forest Hills, Paris Baguette and Subway franchisees (both apparently based in the neighborhood), were awarded over $150,000 apiece.

Millions went to other chains citywide, like a Dunkin' Donuts on the Upper East Side that was awarded the fund's maximum grant of $10 million, and a group of local Panera Bread Stores that secured $6.72 million.

Another funding discrepancy that critics have pointed out is that the SBA was initially supposed to prioritize restaurants owned by women, veterans and members of other marginalized groups, but that aspect was halted after white business owners sued, alleging that the government was discriminating against them.

Restaurant Revitalization grants in Forest Hills

In Forest Hills the average grant was $203,705.

Some recipients are well-known citywide chains, like MoCA Asian Bistro and Fay Da Bakery, while others are beloved local spots, like Dee's and Acey Ducey's.

Here are the five neighborhood businesses that got the biggest grants:

1. Dee's, 107-23 Metropolitan Ave: $1,244,213.11
2. MoCA Asian Bistro, 10718 70th Rd: $691,186
3. 5 Burro Cafe, 7205 Austin Street: $616,797
4. Fay Da Bakery, 10750 Queens Blvd: $481,929
5. Sushi Fussion, 10543 64th Rd: $472,545

Below, scroll through the full list of Forest Hills spots that received federal grants. (Note that many are listed under business aliases, but searching the name on the state's liquor license database can reveal each one's identity.)

If the spreadsheet does not display, view it here.

Patch editor Nick Garber contributed to this report.