"Renato Poliafito’s cafe, Baked, was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy, losing inventory and equipment due to flooding. It received federal loans and local grants which helped it recover and thrive post-Sandy. Poliafito later opened Ciao, Gloria, which faced financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. He applied for and received federal loans and adapted operations to include takeout, delivery, and limited menu offerings." - Alexandra Ilyashov
