MainStreet Oceanside announces microgrant recipients

MainStreet Oceanside has awarded $10,500 in Keep It Local Oceanside Microgrants to 13 Oceanside small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Funded by donations and purchases to MainStreet's month-long Oceanside Strong fundraising campaign, the Keep It Local Oceanside Microgrant Program was established May 2 to help local small businesses affected by COVID-19 closures stay strong until they could reopen their physical doors.

The microgrant recipients consist of eight small businesses, three nonprofit arts organizations, and two therapy and mental health service providers. The following recipients have received $375-$1,000 to help meet their short-term financial needs and weather the pandemic:

• AxeVentures

• Bliss Tea & Treats

• Brightside Therapy

• California Surf Museum

• Darkside Fitness

• Elena's French Crepes Cafe

• Flourish + Live Well 

• Ikigai Artifacts Co.

• Life Enrichment Services

• Oceanside Theatre Company

• Otterlei Coastal

• Ride O'side

• Studio ACE

The Keep It Local Oceanside Microgrant recipients were chosen by a seven-member selection panel made up of local leaders, property owners, and city and MainStreet staff: Claudia Troisi, Haley Wonsley, Allen Adem, Michelle Geller, Cherie Ordway, Mary Ann Thiem and Gumaro Escarcega. To qualify, all recipients were required to earn less than $200,000 a year in gross revenue, have an active City of Oceanside business license, have 1-5 employees and have a brick-and-mortar business in Oceanside, California.

In support of the Oceanside Strong campaign, MainStreet's campaign fundraising partner, Whitlock Ink, has designed and printed Oceanside Strong tees and masks. Tees are $20 and masks are $7. Profits from the sale of Oceanside Strong merchandise are being shared with MainStreet Oceanside and continue to support local businesses through the Keep It Local Oceanside Microgrant Program.