"The business began with an SBA loan at a modest 4.6 percent interest rate and also received construction support from the landlord as part of a historic building renewal. After aggressively paying down debt, the initial loan was retired in seven years. For a new arepa-bar project next to the updated location, the owners are combining another SBA loan with a local crowdfund that offers community members a promissory investment (minimum $100) that pays 6 percent simple interest over six years, repaid quarterly—an approach the owners like for expanding local ownership, community engagement, and shared upside." - Morgan Goldberg