DELRAY BEACH, Fla.— With the help of a funding request recently approved by the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Delray Beach will soon have a new place for barbeque. The CRA Board of Commissioners (CRA Board) approved an application for its Site Development Assistance Program from Ceasar’s Catering & More, LLC, to help them build out the interior of their new takeout restaurant at 37 SW 5th Avenue, in The Set.
Known throughout the region as “Ceasar’s Famous Ribs”, the business has catered events across South Florida since 1994. In 2010, husband-and-wife team Bill and Pauline Ceasar started offering their food on the weekends in various parking lots across the city. Eventually, their following grew enough to support a fulltime location.
“This has been a long time coming, and with the help of [CRA Economic Development Manager] Elizabeth Burrows and the rest of the CRA staff, this dream has become a reality,” said Mr. Ceasar.
Beyond their renowned ribs and proprietary barbeque sauce, the Ceasars are also known for their dedication to serving the community. “To have a standalone building will give me the opportunity to feed more people within the community and assist those who need food and other resources,” Mr. Ceasar said.
Ms. Shelly Petrolia, Delray Beach Mayor and Chairwoman of the CRA Board, is delighted to see the project go forward with unanimous approval from the CRA Board, which consists of the city’s five elected officials and two appointees selected by the City Commission. “Having someone like the Ceasar family become a permanent part of the Delray Beach business community is a tremendous asset, and I am thrilled that we can get this grant approved,” said Mayor Petrolia.
The Site Development Assistance Program offers a partial reimbursement on a variety of interior and exterior improvements to commercial properties in the CRA District. Applications must be approved by the CRA Board before construction begins. This program fosters economic growth and job creation by supporting capital investments made by new, existing, and expanding businesses.
For more information about the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, its programs, and initiatives call the office at (561) 276-8640 or visit the website at www.delraycra.org. To inquire about the Site Development Assistance Program or other funding assistance opportunities, contact the Office of Economic Development (OED) at (561) 243-7009. OED is a joint office of the CRA and the City of Delray Beach. Other services offered include site selection and relocation assistance; connections to community resources; small business and entrepreneurial support; workforce development; and business navigator services. The OED mission is to drive and inspire the growth of a diverse, vibrant, entrepreneurial economy for all.
