A New Summit Street Diner in the Works – Coming Soon Bertha Mae’s Kitchen

Pam DeWalt and Nolan Hych in Bertha Mae’s Kitchen

Sojourner’s Truth Staff

Nolan Hych and Pamela Dewalt certainly have a full schedule planned for this fall.

They just closed on a business loan, courtesy of Economic and Community Development Institute and Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union – the first small business loan the partnership of ECDI and TUFCU has completed.

ECDI And TUFCU are partners in the Junction Neighborhood Promise Grant, explains Zahra Collins, program manager at TUFCU. Starting in April, the Junction Economic Transformation (J.E.T.) developed, through the grant, a Small Business Seminar Series, an eight-week program geared toward the residents and businesses in the Junction neighborhood. The series incorporates business as well as financial curriculum to assist existing and aspiring owner of small businesses.

“The Small Business Seminar Series has been enlightening and empowering,” said DeWalt, a TUFCU member and ECDI client who enrolled in that initial series. “Between the presenters and the resources being provided to us, we have everything we need as entrepreneurs to run a successful business.”

ECDI’s April Welch looks on as Pam Wewalt and Nolan sign loan documents

DeWalt will experience the feeling of running her own successful business soon enough.

Last week, she and her partner, Hych, signed the paperwork to obtain a loan through ECDI that will help them start that business.

“It’s come full circle,” says Collins of the fact that the TUFCU member enrolled in the course, reached out to one of the J.E.T. partners for assistance with the loan and signed the paperwork with April Welch of ECDI just months after the process began.

DeWalt and Hych’s work has already begun. Bertha Mae’s Kitchen is due to open in November at 840 N. Summit Street. The pair have already gutted and remodeled the interior and restocked and resupplied the kitchen and dining area. Bertha Mae’s will initially be a breakfast and luncheon operation, with a heavy emphasis on takeout. But the property can include outside expansion in the summer for dining al fresco.

First things first, however! The grand opening has to wait until after the partner’s very special day in late October when they tie the knot and become partners in life in addition to partners in business.

Then, in November, the restaurant will open. A very busy fall season indeed.

The next Small Business Seminar Series is due to begin on September 29. Contact TUFCU for more information.