Atlanta announces grants to help hundreds of small businesses with pandemic costs

Mayor Andre Dickens Lucy Sims
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens presents a Resurgence Grant check to Lucy Sims, chief financial officer of The Beautiful Restaurant. (Emil Moffatt/WABE)

Lucy Sims says The Beautiful Restaurant, a staple in Atlanta’s Cascade Heights neighborhood, was forced to close its doors for nine months in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since re-opening, Sims says the eatery has faced staffing issues and the rising cost of food.

“Our grocery bill went up, which meant we had to go up on prices,” said Sims, the restaurant’s chief financial officer. “I’m thankful for our loyal customers, they seem to understand.”