01/12/2025
With concerns over breakfast and lunch spot Crak N’ Grill putting up large signs last year and getting written up by media, but not yet opening at its 301 S Wells Ave location, and then receiving City of Reno matching grants both for facade and tenant improvements, we contacted the city’s media line to get an update.
We received this lengthy response from Revitalization Manager Bryan McArdle yesterday afternoon:
“Crak N' Grill is slated to open their business soon. They are currently awaiting their final Fire and Health inspections. The physical improvements to the space took longer than anticipated due to additional work needing to be done.
Crak N' Grill was a ReStore awardee under both our Façade and Tenant Improvement grants. Crak N' Grill was awarded $14,983.00 in matching funds for Façade improvements which included replacing broken windows, fixing a leaky roof, replacing doors, and repainting the building. Crak N' Grill was also awarded $20,671.00 in Tenant Improvement matching funds to improve the interior space and kitchen, and repair water damage. The initial cost estimate to complete the work was $84,000, but they discovered that a lot of additional improvements needed to be completed to open and bring it up to code. Those improvements have been completed and grant funds were released last month.
When it comes to the ReStore Program, it's designed to enhance the visual appeal, economic vitality, and overall livability of commercial areas of downtown. Opening a business is not a requirement of the grant funding as the ReStore funds improve spaces for existing and future tenants. The intent of the program was intended to use the ARPA funding to revitalize downtown in partnership with businesses.
The ReStore Program is funded by grant money from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds have specific provisions that allow for programs like Restore for façade and tenant improvements. The rules given by the Treasury Department state that funds can be used to support small businesses in addressing the economic impacts caused by the pandemic. The funds also support stimulating economic activity in distressed areas impacted by the pandemic by allowing investments that enhance a business’s ability to operate safely and attract customers, and projects that enhance a neighborhood’s vitality.”
