'So much potential': Murchison Road businesses get a boost from city grant
With more than $3.2 million in grants, Fayetteville’s two small business grant programs have allocated more than $800,000 to 20 businesses — including about $240,000 to 8 businesses on Murchison Road, a historically Black corridor the city and community have vowed to revitalize.
The latest incarnation, launched in July, is available to Fayetteville businesses in low-income areas with less than 200 employees and that hire low- and middle-income workers. The program is funded by $3 million awarded to the city from federal COVID relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The maximum award is $50,000 in the areas of business development and retention, and commercial corridor improvement. A single business can qualify in both areas. Applications and eligibility requirements are available online at fayettevillenc.gov.
Chris Cauley, director of Fayetteville's Economic & Community Development office, said the new program is "double the money to double the impact" of the old program.
The following are some of the businesses along Murchison Road that benefited from the original program:
Binkie’s Pizza and Wings
Binkie’s Pizza and Wings, which opened last year, received a $25,000 grant in November. Owner Gerald Nickelberry said he used the money toward a $50,000 upgrade of equipment, including purchasing a larger pizza oven, and hiring more staff.
"The availability of those funds had a great impact on the business to expand my menu,” Nickelberry said last week.
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Before the upgrade, the eatery could only bake four pizzas at a time, he said, but the new pizza oven can handle 16 pies. With the purchase of a new smoker grill, smoked ribs and turkey legs made it onto the menu, he said.
Nickelberry said he was also able to increase his staff which is made up of students from Fayetteville State University and people who live in the neighborhood.
He said the culturally rich neighborhood is headed in the right direction, though there is still work to do.
“Murchison Road just has so much potential,” Nickelberry said. “I think the city is doing the right thing by investing in it.”
Rhudy’s Pawn Shop
Rhudy’s Pawn Shop received a $25,000 grant in June 2020. Owner Ken Phillips said the money helped him pay the $58,000 cost of improving landscaping, and adding fencing and an LED sign to the exterior of his business.
The shop was founded by his father Rhudy Phillips in 1960.
Ken Phillips said Rhudy's “has always been a vibrant business” but the money for improvements is welcomed.
He said he hopes to see more businesses open in the neighborhood and more beautification projects in the corridor.
“I’d like to see anything that makes this area more appealing,” Phillips said.
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Henley’s Vintage Kitchen
Henley's Vintage Kitchen received a $22,546 grant in June 2021 which owner Marilyn Henley said was used to repair the parking lot.
Henley said she and her husband Michael opened their soul food restaurant in September because they wanted to be part of the area's revitalization.
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She said people are glad to see more being done along Murchison Road.
"When I listen to conversations of customers in the community it seems like they’re feeling good that someone’s paying attention," she said.
Food, dining and business reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Murchison Road businesses put city of Fayetteville grants to work
