DoorDash Gives $10,000 Grant to Tampa Coffee Shop Hit by Hurricane

A Tampa coffee shop got a fresh start after Hurricane Milton struck. DoorDash stepped in with a $10,000 grant from its Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. The money will fix Corona's Coffee Shop's building damage and replace their Nebraska Avenue sign.

"We couldn't be any happier, for a small business to receive this type of help means the world," said owner Yohanna Santos, according to Tampa Bay 28.

Since 2021, DoorDash's relief work has put $2.5 million into the hands of storm-struck shops. More than 250 places got help. Now the company aids businesses beyond restaurants.

"We know that natural disasters devastate entire communities, and small businesses are often hit hardest," said Maggie Polachek, Social Media Manager at DoorDash. "That's why DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund is proud to give businesses like Corona's Coffee the lifeline they need to keep their doors open."

The storm shut Corona's doors for 15 days straight. This hit hard, as they usually fill 20 to 30 delivery orders daily.

In 2019, Santos bought the shop from Miguel Pons. The place holds deep meaning for her. At age 17, she moved from the Dominican Republic to Tampa. Her mom's first U.S. job was right there in 1999.

"It was my mother's first job when we came to this country back in 1999, so through the years we had family members that worked here, all the family members," Santos said. "I always had an interest in restaurants and especially for serving people, so when the owner decided to retire back in 2019, and offered it to me, of course I couldn't say no."

Santos added her own touch, bringing Dominican flavors to the menu. "My mother first of all is very proud of me being here, all my cooking has to do with her," Santos said.

Despite the storm's wrath, the shop marked 40 years in business. Pons, who ran it before, joined the party.

Now Santos wants others to know about help that's out there. "I am making sure that more small business owners know about these programs; they know they do exist. I'm living proof that these programs do work," she said.

Business owners can find DoorDash disaster aid at merchants.doordash.com.