Isringhausen Imports has announced the recipients of the 2024 Isringhausen DRIVE
Grant, a program designed to support local entrepreneurs in establishing their
businesses within downtown Springfield. This year, $20,000 grants have been awarded to three local business owners: Jacob Dinardo of Arrowroot Coffee, Kimsimone Manning of A Taste of Seoul and Alli Donaldson of Golden Hour Bake House.
The grant program was initially launched in 2022. The inaugural grant was awarded to The Wakery, and in 2023, Ceramics Made by Rosie was the recipient. Expanding the program from one grant to three this year was made possible by a generous contribution from a trust managed by a longtime member of Downtown Springfield Inc.
The grants are designed to be flexible, allowing applicants to apply the funds toward their most pressing needs – whether for construction, equipment, marketing or other key investments. The recipients were chosen from a pool of applicants through a competitive selection process.
Arrowroot Coffee, under the direction of Jacob Dinardo, will create a cozy haven for coffee lovers, providing ethically sourced coffee, local treats and a community-centered space for all. The business has been operating as a mobile coffee trailer, but Dinardo is in the process of finalizing a lease for a brick-and-mortar location downtown.
A Taste of Seoul, founded by Kimsimone Manning, focuses on authentic Korean flavors. In January, Manning teamed up with a business partner to open a restaurant in the upper level of Buzz Bomb Brewing Company at 406 E. Adams St. The restaurant closed in August for restructuring, and Manning has now reopened it as a solo venture under the name A Taste of Seoul.
She described it as “comfort food with a Korean twist… Italian, Mexican and soul food with a Korean flair.” The restaurant still offers numerous vegan and vegetarian options, as did the previous venture.
Golden Hour Bake House, led by Alli Donaldson, will bring fresh, artisanal
baked goods to the downtown area. After getting her start at the Old Capitol Farmers Market in 2021, Donaldson decided to transition to a brick-and-mortar location. She is currently offering curbside service while she continues renovating the space at 11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza in preparation for opening later this year. Since she will be occupying the entire main floor, she previously told SBJ it will allow her to expand the offerings.
“We’ll transition our business model away from just baked goods, and it will be more of a café,” she said. “We’ll have a breakfast and lunch menu, plus an espresso bar,” Donaldson said.
“We’re honored to support these talented entrepreneurs as they bring their
visions to life in our downtown district,” said Cainan Barnett, marketing
manager at Isringhausen Imports. “Our goal with the DRIVE Grant is to fuel
the growth of diverse businesses that will enhance the vibrancy of Springfield,
and this year’s recipients truly embody that vision.”
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This article appears in November SBJ 2024.