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Local Cafés Thrive Through Community Support and Innovation

9/28/2025

50 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham, NC has grown since 2010, expanding to three cafés and launching Little Waves Coffee Roasters; Areli Barrera Grodski notes pandemic growth.
Groovy Donuts in East Lansing marks ten years; owners Andrew and Monica Gauthier credit Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)'s Small Business Support Hub.
Both show community engagement as a driver for small enterprises.

History

Historical Context

Established in 1953, the Small Business Administration (SBA) aimed to support small enterprises in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a 20% revenue decline for small businesses, leading to initiatives like the Paycheck Protection Program. Today, businesses like Cocoa Cinnamon and Groovy Donuts highlight the importance of community engagement in fostering economic resilience and innovation within the small business sector.

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Story summary

Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham, NC has grown since 2010, expanding to three cafés and launching Little Waves Coffee Roasters; Areli Barrera Grodski notes pandemic growth.
Groovy Donuts in East Lansing marks ten years; owners Andrew and Monica Gauthier credit Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)'s Small Business Support Hub.
Both show community engagement as a driver for small enterprises.

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