Left to right: Jai Jai Greenfield and Eric Woods, Harlem Vintage;
Kenneth J. Knuckles, President & CEO, UMEZ; and Hope Knight, Executive
Director, BRISC.
WINE AND DANDY
harlem vintage
receives brisc loan
Hope
Knight,
Executive Director of the Business
Resource & Investment Service Center (BRISC) - - a division of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development
Corp. - - announced that Harlem
Vintage, Inc., a retailer of fine wines and spirits had received a $120,000 loan.
Located at 120th Street and
Frederick Douglas Boulevard, Harlem Vintage established its first operation in
2004. Harlem Vintage operates out of a 1,129 square foot location, representing
the largest wine focused retailer in Harlem. Harlem Vintage has the largest
selection of wines from minority vintners in the United States marketing the
selections through a nationally recognized program called the “Wine Makers of
Color Collection” which has been featured on BET and CNBC news and lifestyle
segments.
Additionally, Harlem Vintage has been
recognized as a “vanguard” and “model” for Harlem’s economic development by
publications such as the Wall Street
Journal, Crain’s New York Business
and Time Out New York.
Owned by two former Wall Street professionals
Jai Jai Greenfield and Eric Woods, Harlem Vintage has
successfully expanded with the launch of a complementary business, Nectar Wine Bar, which is adjacent to
Harlem Vintage. Nectar, which opened in August 2008, offers the same array of
wines and spirits while providing the same level of quality service and
entertainment to customers.
The BRISC loan will be used for financial
restructuring and working capital.
“At BRISC we are dedicated to supporting and
encouraging the stability and growth of the small business community in Upper
Manhattan through financial, as well as technical assistance. We see our
investment in Harlem Vintage, which is quickly establishing a reputation as one
of the most outstanding businesses in Harlem, as an investment in its future
and the future of our City,” said Ms. Knight.
ABOUT BRISC
BRISC
offers start-up and/or expansion loans to qualified businesses in Upper
Manhattan.Loans are from $50,000 to $250,000 in size, with a
competitive fixed rate, a maximum seven year maturity and there isn’t a job
creation requirement.Additionally,
BRISC technical assistance programs are available to ensure the sustainability,
profitability and growth of small businesses in the Upper Manhattan Empowerment
Zone. Technical assistance includes consulting services, workshops, seminars
and access to a large “how-to” library.
