6 local businesses land city-backed microloans

Catch up quick: The City Council approved $100,000 for the program in October.

• The program makes loans of up to $20,000 each to businesses with 20 or fewer full-time employees at 2 percentage points below prime rates.

The recipients

• 24K Juicing, a health-focused business, is opening its first storefront at 300 E. Grand Ave. with new energy-efficient kitchen equipment, a self-serve kiosk and expanded health-focused offerings.
• Black Bagel is preparing to open in the Center at Sixth corridor, aiming to create a community gathering space with house-made locally sourced bagels.
• Chandelier, an event venue at 413 Euclid Ave., is reviving a long-vacant building and supporting other entrepreneurs through an open vendor model.
• Hotori, a new business at 1417 Walnut St., is offering Asian groceries, home goods and cultural events like tastings and cooking demos.
• The Rook Room, previously a pop-up event business, recently expanded into a full-scale board game lounge and café at 300 SW Fifth St.
• Tullpa, a Peruvian restaurant at 3708 Merle Hay Road, is upgrading its space and launching a refreshed menu and marketing campaign.

What we're watching: Whether the City Council renews the program's funding for more loans in future years.