Vegetarian Indian cuisine restaurant Earthen Jar will open a new location in Ypsilanti with the help of state funding grants.
“We just love the area and community, and we feel like it is a wonderful place to expand our business,” said Earthen Jar manager Sim Sethi.
The originally Ann Arbor-based restaurant will be expanding to a storefront on West Michigan Avenue that has been vacant for over 30 years with the help of the Build MI Community Grant and the Match on Main grant.
The Ypsilanti location will be a carry-out-only establishment as opposed to the buffet-style Ann Arbor location, according to Sethi.
“We will still have the same delicious fare as our Ann Arbor location,” Sethi said.
The Build MI Community Grant is a program managed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that helps new developers with little real estate experience by offering funding and guidance for small-scale real estate projects.
The goal of Build MI Community is to turn vacant spaces into functional spaces by supporting redevelopment efforts from less experienced developers and property owners.
“[The Build MI Community Grant] helped fund our rehabilitation of the building at 406 W. Michigan Avenue,” said Sethi.
The program also helps less experienced developers and property owners learn the development process to prepare them to take on bigger projects in the future.
Match on Main is a grant program from the MEDC that reimburses funds up to $25,000 to help new or expanding-place local businesses.
The MEDC prioritizes supporting businesses in Redevelopment Ready Communities and Michigan Main Street districts by providing resources like technical assistance, training, and education to help small businesses succeed.
“We are excited to be a part of the community,” said Sethi. “We love the people there, and we already have a strong customer base from the area.”
