CRA Grants Enhance Gourmet Expansion at Di Farina
South Florida foodies have been raving about all the new experiences at the expanded Di Farina Restaurant, including the addition of the Meat Shop and Pasta Factory. The renovation and expansion of the popular Pompano Beach eatery was supported by two grants from the Pompano Beach CRA.
“During Covid, we had a tent space which we quickly outgrew,” said Ludmila Lavena, the operations manager. “Expanding our location was on the agenda and after learning about the CRA grants, we realized they were quite beneficial in helping us achieve our goals.”
Di Farina, located at 1915 E Atlantic Boulevard, applied for the Strategic Investment Program (SIP) reimbursable grant which provides funding towards interior buildout improvements for existing commercial buildings with restaurant or retail uses. The restaurant allocated the funds to improve their current site and expand into the adjacent space, allowing the restaurant, meat shop, and pasta factory to reside under one roof.
The restaurant also applied for and received a reimbursable grant under the Façade and Business Site Improvement Program which provided funding for the installation of impact windows, exterior lighting, signage, stone accents, the addition of a parapet and other aesthetic improvements.
These were major enhancements to a structure that had not seen a substantial improvement since it was built in 1955. In total, the space received almost $300,000 worth of renovations, with the CRA contributing approximately $100,000 of that cost.
All the upgrades are receiving lots of positive feedback from patrons, and now even more locals are discovering the world of gourmet options that each section of the space is offering. The restaurant continues to feature an extensive selection of Italian favorites, while the Pasta Factory has a plethora of fresh and flavorful pastas, noodles, raviolis and an assortment of cheeses and sauces. The Meat Shop showcases high-end prime meat, including grass-fed and wagyu beef, and other delights including duck breast, octopus and assorted frozen fish selections.
For Di Farina’s owner, Emmanuel Fernandez, Pompano Beach is a prime location to invest. Hailing from Argentina and having lived in Miami, he wanted to bring something special to this area, and he is excited to see all the growth and expanded walkability throughout the City.
“This isn’t a sleepy town anymore,” said Lavena “There are so many things to see and do. Pompano Beach deserves all the attention it’s getting!”
If your business is located in the East or Northwest CRA District and you would like to learn more about business incentives available to you, please visit https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/government/cra/development-opportunities
