Invest Atlanta continues to strengthen Atlanta’s small business ecosystem ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026TM and other major sporting events, and its latest $90,000 investment approved by the Invest Atlanta Board will support nine merchant booth improvement projects at the historic Municipal Market in Sweet Auburn.
“The Municipal Market has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood since 1924, and investing in fresh food access and entrepreneurship is a hallmark of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative,” says Mayor Andre Dickens. “As we prepare to host one of the largest sporting events in the world, it is critical that our local businesses operating within the market are front and center when presented with opportunities that will produce long-term benefits. Investments like these help elevate our entrepreneurs who define our unique identity, which will build a strong Atlanta for decades to come.”
In 2024, the Invest Atlanta Board established the Municipal Market Vendor Success Program with a $200,000 Eastside Tax Allocation District (TAD) Grant. The program offers $10,000 grants to small businesses operating in the Municipal Market to help merchants make meaningful upgrades to their spaces and operations, with grantees contributing a 10% match toward their projects.
Eligible improvements include installing consistent signage, repairing or replacing major fixtures and enhancing overall booth functionality. In addition, 20% of each grant will support the implementation of new Booth Design Standards that will create a refreshed, cohesive look across the market while also preserving its historic character.
Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, says Invest Atlanta is committed to ensuring small business owners at the Municipal Market have the resources they need to be successful. “The World Cup is a catalyst, but this investment is about something bigger,” explains Dr. Klementich. “It’s about the long-term vitality of the Sweet Auburn community and the entrepreneurs who are key contributors to the city’s economy who have anchored this community for generations.”
The following small businesses have been awarded Municipal Market Vendor Success Grants:
- Philly G Cheesesteaks
- Parks Meat Market
- East Atlanta Treehouse
- A Taste of Secrets
- Metro Deli
- Retro Deli Grill
- Vieux Carré Bistro
- Earl of Sandwich Shop
- S&H Produce
“First and foremost, working with Invest Atlanta has not only been easy, but a blessing,” says Amy Mugar of Philly G Steaks. “The grant money will be used to make our booth more efficient, professional, cohesive to our other locations and a better experience for our customers. As a small-business owner, it is a struggle sometimes to obtain funding or assistance, so this will help us go forward with our business and grow.”
Located in the Sweet Auburn District, the Municipal Market, also known as the Curb Market, has served as an iconic Atlanta institution since it was founded in 1918, opening in its current building in 1924. Today, it is home to up to 30 local businesses operating out of compact merchant booths, including retail shops, grocery merchant and eateries. With its low-cost spaces, the market remains one of the most accessible entry points for entrepreneurs looking to establish a brick-and-mortar presence in Downtown Atlanta.