Pasadena Community Foundation Applauds Resilience of Local Businesses on ‘626 Day’

The Pasadena Community Foundation is commending the resilience of local businesses on the occasion of the city’s symbolic post-pandemic economic reopening event, dubbed ‘626 Day,’ on Saturday, as several entrepreneurs credit city relief grant programs administered by the Foundation for keeping them afloat through the past 15 months.

Business throughout the city will be offering special discounts and incentives to welcome patrons back to Pasadena as it awakens from its pandemic-induced hibernation.

“Pasadena Community Foundation joins with the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau in marking this Saturday as Pasadena 626 Day and celebrating the resilience of Pasadena’s diverse business community,” the PCF said in a written statement.

The PCF joined with the city to administer two COVID-19 relief grant programs to assist local businesses, starting last summer. Ultimately, 98 businesses received more than $832,000 in grants to help them make it through the pandemic and its associated restrictions.

“The grants supported numerous minority- and women-owned small businesses, as well as legacy businesses that have operated in Pasadena for several decades, the statement said.

The first round of grants took place in August of last year, when 39 local businesses received grants of $10,000 each through the program, officials said.

A second round of grants specifically aiding small businesses with five or fewer employees provided another 59 local businesses with grants of $7,500 each.

Among the businesses that weathered the pandemic with the help of the grant program was Mercadito Monarca Cultural Arts Gift Shop in the Playhouse District, according to owner Erica Gutierrez.

“We pushed ourselves to have a physical space to gather and to connect, to highlight our cultural roots, and to hold classes, and we would have closed without the Small Business Grant,” she said. “We were in the beginning stages of our business and the grant strengthened us just when we needed it.”

Mercadito Monarca plans to take part in 626 Day on Saturday by offering 10% discounts on all purchases.

Cervecería Del Pueblo taproom and brewery owner Martin Quinones also said his business may not have made it through the pandemic without the city’s help.

“The grant helped us purchase ingredients and raw materials to continue the production of our beer and to fulfill the commitment with our landlord by paying rent on time,” he said. “Most importantly, we were able to maintain staff by using a portion of the grant to cover payroll expenses. These grants helped saved businesses and lives.”

Cervecería Del Pueblo plans to offer 15% off on Saturday to mark 626 Day.

PCF President and CEO Jennifer DeVoll said the organization was glad to have been able to assist local businesses in their time of need.

“PCF is so proud to see local businesses, including our grantees, fully reopening,” she said. “Our work with the City of Pasadena was powerful and made a real difference in the survival of dozens of important and beloved businesses.”

“Pasadena 626 Day is a great reason to turn out on Saturday and express thanks for the strength and resilience our business community has shown over the last 15 months,”DeVoll added.

More information on the Pasadena Community Foundation can be found on the organization’s website at pasadenacf.org.

For information from the city about 626 Day, visit https://www.visitpasadena.com/626-day/

Related:

Pasadena Celebrates Reopening With City-Wide Retail Extravaganza on Saturday

Pasadena’s ‘626 Day’ Aims to Celebrate City, Boost Local Economy