Grants help bring major upgrades to businesses near Yankee Stadium
The Dugout BX is one of eight businesses to receive funding from the Bronx Economic Development Corporation storefront improvement grant.
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Small businesses near Yankee Stadium got major makeovers.
The Dugout BX is one of eight businesses to receive funding from the Bronx Economic Development Corporation storefront improvement grant.
The popular gameday watering hole underwent $50,000 in renovations that include new signage, a bar, flooring, lighting, bathrooms and Yankee decor.
"People come in, they take a second look like are we in the right spot?" said Shelia Smith, who owns the Dugout BX. "This place was held together by duct tapeand glue. We are finding duct tape, zip ties, anything you could think to hold it together."
Smith applied for the grant back in 2023 and completed renovations in time for Opening Day 2025.
The Bronx Economic Development Corporation says its goal is to help make the neighborhood more attractive for small businesses and for people who live and work in the area. It also wants to drive foot traffic from the stadium on game days to the neighborhood businesses.
“This is one of the most popular commercial corridors in The Bronx. It serves people who come here from the courthouse and residents in the area. It was an opportunity for us to inject resources into these small businesses to make it more of a destination for Bronxitesand for the people coming by," said Marshall Strawbridge, the director of BXEDC.
Key Food, Yankee Tavern, US Fried Chicken, Stadium Souvenirs, Clubhouse Cafe, Ballpark Sports and Danice also received upgrades.
“We not only have character and personality with our storefront enhancements, but we are making our storefronts more attractive. They are the economic engines of our borough and city," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.
