(L-r) Kelly Anoe, Legacy Community Development Director Donna Catalano, Jeffrey Colby, and Chuck Hughes
Playboy Barber Shop awarded $5,000 COVID-19 relief grant
Contributed By:The 411 News
One of 17 grant recipients selected by Legacy Foundation and Indiana Black Expo
I hope this is legit, Jeffrey Colby said about the story in his newsfeed offering grants up to $5,000 to small businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Colby's research found that the Legacy Foundation was legitimate and he immediately applied.
Friday, the Legacy Foundation's Vice President Kelly Anoe and Gary Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chuck Hughes arrived at Colby's business, Playboy Barber & Style Shop, to present him with a $5,000 check. That grant is one of 17 the Legacy Foundation and Indiana Black Expo's COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund awarded to women and minority-owned businesses in East Chicago and Gary.
The Small Business Relief Fund awarded $50,000 in grants.
Businesses in the hardest hit industries were urged to apply. Some of those identified in the grant application were restaurant, retail, hair and beauty salons, barbers, day spas, saunas, tattoo shops, laundry and cleaning services, fitness centers and gyms, funeral services, event spaces and event services.
Anoe said, "We felt that your business being such an institution in Gary, for well over 50 years, was a perfect candidate for our support."
"You met the criteria for investment in this community and you're back," said Hughes, who is on the board of directors of Indiana Black Expo.
Playboy closed in March and reopened in May. Then Colby had rotator-cuff surgery, making him miss two more months. In all, he was out of work 4 months during the pandemic.
Jeffrey is the third generation of Colby barbers. Grandmother Audrey Jenkins started the business in 1955. Later, his mother Patricia Colby took it over. Jeffrey started cutting hair in 1994.
Colby said their business has been all over Gary, west side, east side and now at their present location in Glen Park. Playboy has been at 4683 Broadway since 1984.
"I keep an eye on the rising virus infections. And I hope we're not heading for another shutdown," Colby said.
Story Posted:10/30/2020
|
