Year-old Whitehaven restaurant Trap Fusion was one of 10 businesses, including four food-related enterprises, approved Friday for grants designed to help them weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owners Jason Gardner and Monique Williams expect a $7,000 Neighborhood Emergency Economic Development grant will allow them to stay afloat in an uncertain environment.

The restaurant, which serves Southern cuisine, was renovating new space at 4637 Boeingshire when the pandemic hit. It was forced to reduce staff hours and reported losing $2,500 a week since mid-March.

Memphis music gets a hand up from EDGE

It began offering curbside pickup and working with delivery services.

“The last eight weeks have been a trying period,” Gardner said. “We have had to implement a survival strategy to counteract the effects of the pandemic.

13 more NEED grants awarded to businesses impacted by pandemic

“This grant will help us to pay off our debt, pay our bills and get our workforce going again,” Gardner said.

The Economic Development Growth Engine of Memphis and Shelby County, which set aside $1 million for NEED grants, said 21% of recipients so far have been restaurants.

With new grants totaling $60,000 approved Friday, EDGE has awarded $437,600 to 78 businesses.

The grants are aimed at small businesses in geographic areas that were economically distressed before the pandemic.

Other grants approved Friday:

• High Cotton Brewery, 598 Monroe, $8,500.
• Blue Mondays Event Center, 2256 Airways, $3,500.
• Mystic Styles Glam Studio, 4466 Elvis Presley Boulevard, $5,000.
• 901 Physical Therapy, 2637 Broad, $6,000.
• Crosstown Curb Market Inc., 1350 Concourse Avenue, $10,000.
• Warehouse Studios LLC, 358 Walnut, $5,000.
• Fuel Catering and Food Trucks, 684 S. Cox, $5,000.
• The Hub Automotive, 2200 York, $5,000.
• Edge Alley LLC, 600 Monroe, $5,000.