NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 28, 2025) — The City of New Rochelle has awarded $1.12 million to eight businesses as the first recipients of its $2.25 million Retail Tenant Improvement Fund, a key component of the Vanguard New Rochelle Downtown Retail Strategy aimed at reducing vacancies and boosting economic vitality. The grants, ranging from $40,000 to $250,000, support interior fit-outs and renovations for new and existing businesses, with awards approved in under six months.
The initiative, part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown New Rochelle, has drawn significant interest, with over 70 applications submitted. The city’s redevelopment efforts have already delivered over 10,000 new housing units, attracted $2.5 billion in private investment, and welcomed 50 new businesses in the past five years, including 29 since 2023 and 15 in the last year.
“It’s exciting to see the interest and eagerness among the business community in applying for these funds,” said Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert. “With the Retail Tenant Improvement Fund, we’re not just transforming storefronts, we’re creating vibrant, welcoming destinations where people can gather for a meal, enjoy outdoor seating, attend events, and truly experience the heart of our City.”
The awarded businesses reflect a diverse mix of new and established ventures. Hour to Exit, an escape room experience, will relocate to a reimagined vacant space with upgraded lighting and interiors. Casaroma Café will enhance its space for evening events and arts programming. Touch D Medical Spa will elevate its services with new fixtures and equipment. The Lincoln Park Conservancy History & Cultural Center will feature a podcast studio and modern furnishings to promote Black history and heritage.
New dining options include Mona, Indian Eatery, which will add a vibrant outdoor beer garden, and Teriyaki Madness, a fast-casual restaurant fitting out a raw space. Roc N Ramen, a local favorite, will optimize its kitchen and seating, while Monarch Reserve, a female, minority, and disabled veteran-owned cannabis dispensary, will create a high-end retail experience with a boutique consumption café.
“We’re passionate about bringing exciting and unique experiences to the community in New Rochelle,” said Brittney Coleman, owner of Hour to Exit. “These upgrades will enhance the adventure our visitors already know and love.”
Andrew Abraham, owner of Mona, added, “As a local business owner, my goal is always to offer the best in authentic service and hospitality, and thanks to the Retail Tenant Improvement Fund, I have the opportunity to expand our space at Mona for an elevated experience.”
The fund is expected to generate $2.25 million in downtown improvements, complementing other initiatives like the Vanguard District, streetscape beautification, and the upcoming LINC project, which will transform Memorial Highway into a linear park. The redesign of the New Rochelle Train Station and Intermodal Transit Center also supports the city’s vision for a dynamic urban center.
“We are thrilled to see so much activity in the application process,” said Adam Salgado, New Rochelle Commissioner of Development. “This high rate of response from our business community helps activate even more vacant storefronts and revitalize the City’s retail corridors.”
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.