A little under $40,000 has been awarded through Escalon’s new small‑business grant program, with five awards approved by the Escalon City Council at its Monday night, April 6 meeting.
Development and Community Services Manager Trevin Barber said the five grants were recommended for approval to the council by the Economic Development Committee.
“This is the grant program announced in February that is starting to take shape,” Barber explained. “These awards support local entrepreneurs, expand small‑business capacity, and strengthen Escalon’s growing maker and traded‑sector economy — a priority identified in the City’s economic development program.”
The recommendation from the Economic Development Committee included the following businesses and amounts:
True North Yoga – $2,800
Baker Print Company – $6,000
Beautifully Chaotic – $6,000
Oak & Ember Sourdough – $6,000
The Barn – $18,000
“The Council accepted the Economic Development Committee’s full recommendation, so all five businesses were formally awarded their grants,” Barber noted. “We are now in the process of executing signed agreements.”
Once all those have been completed, Barber said, the City will begin issuing checks.
The businesses that received the grants are a mix of local storefronts and home‑based operations.
Baker Print Company: Operates a brick‑and‑mortar storefront on Main Street and is expanding production capacity.
The Barn: Is a new storefront preparing to open along Highway 120, just over the railroad tracks at Yosemite on the west end of the city, in a location that has previously housed different business ventures.
Beautifully Chaotic: Is home‑based but established and growing.
Oak & Ember Sourdough: Is home‑based and scaling up with commercial‑grade equipment.
True North Yoga: Operates out of rented physical studio spaces.
This inaugural round of grant awards totaled $38,800.
“The program is designed to support both storefront and home‑based businesses, as long as they demonstrate community benefit and a clear plan for growth,” added Barber. “These grants help small businesses purchase equipment, expand production, and activate new storefronts — all of which contribute to local job creation, community vibrancy, and economic resilience.”
There are some specific guidelines that come along with being approved for a grant award, officials noted.
Once the businesses receive their grant checks, Barber explained, they must use the funds only for the specific project scope that was approved by the Economic Development Committee and the City Council. Each grantee has a defined “Scope of Project” (equipment, fixtures, production tools, etc.), and the awarded grant funds can’t be redirected to unrelated expenses like rent, payroll, or general operating costs.
“They’ll also complete a simple six‑month progress update showing what they purchased and how it’s helping their business,” Barber said.
Receiving the largest grant was The Barn, which is the latest endeavor of longtime resident Joe Coelho, who also works for the Escalon Unified School District.
“His commitment to this community is not a recent development; it is a lifelong way of being. As a father of five daughters who have grown up in Escalon, Joe understands firsthand what families here need: a safe, welcoming place to gather, a connection to fresh and locally grown food, and a reason to stay local rather than drive elsewhere. His roots here run deep, and The Barn is the natural next chapter of a life already devoted to this city,” the business proposal submitted as part of the grant application stated.
The Barn is envisioned as more than a retail market, the proposal continued.
“It is a community anchor — a place where Escalon families can shop locally, connect with their neighbors, teach their children where food comes from, and celebrate the seasons together. Inspired by Joe’s hands-on experience leading garden education programs at Van Allen Elementary School, where he partnered with master gardeners to teach students about growing vegetables and the critical role of bees in our ecosystem, The Barn carries forward that same spirit of learning, sustainability, and community pride.”
As outlined in the business proposal, the Barn “will carry a thoughtfully curated selection of locally sourced and artisan goods, celebrating the agricultural heritage of the Central Valley.”
That will include fresh fruits and vegetables, artisan baked goods and pies, honey, jams and dried fruits, local cheeses and bread, yard art and garden décor, nuts, olive oils and vinegars, herbs and spices, veggie starts, and ice cream and seasonal treats. Also planned are having ice and firewood available for campers and special programs including an October pumpkin patch, Christmas trees and wreaths, and holiday seasonal décor.
Coelho noted in the proposal that he “is fully committed to bringing The Barn’s facility into complete compliance with all applicable City of Escalon building codes, safety standards, and permitting requirements before opening day.”
All the businesses receiving funding in this first round of grant awards through the new program are eager to continue their growth and development in the city, expanding their reach and helping contribute to the local economy.
