Businesses hurt by the extended construction of the Purple Line transit line can get grants of up to $10,000.

With construction not slated for completion until mid-2027, some of the 400 businesses located along the 16-mile stretch that runs through Riverdale Park and College Park have seen customers drop.

To help offset the damage, Prince George’s County and the Maryland Department of Commerce are funding grants through FSC First, a community development financial institution.

The grants can be used for anything from rent and electricity bills to insurance and payroll. If approved through a simple application process, businesses can get the money in as little as 10 days.

Endalew Gurmu, owner of Memo Market on University Boulevard, applied for a grant to help with rent, telling NBC Washington that his revenue had dropped by nearly two-thirds due to construction.

Eligible businesses have until May 12 to apply. The online application is available here.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.

Cafe Azul – Caracas de Ayer will open its new location this Saturday, April 29,  at the Station at Riverdale Park.

Previously located in Hyattsville’s Arts District, the popular Venezuelan restaurant has moved to a new location at 6740 45th St., next to MOD Pizza and across the street from Le Fantome food hall.

Owner Mickey Torrealba, who is originally from Venezuela, but resides on the corridor, told the Hyattsville Wire that the new location has more space, with 32 seats inside and 10 outside; more parking, and is located in a hub of other restaurants closer to the University of Maryland.

The highlight of the menu are traditional Venezuelan arepas, gluten-free white corn cakes made from scratch daily and featuring fillings such as shredded beef, roasted pork, stewed chicken or Spanish chorizo and queso de mano, Guayanés or Gouda cheese.

Other options include cachapas, a traditional Venezuelan pancake; beef bowls, corn tamales and a Cuban sandwich; and chicha de arroz, a drink made with rice, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar.

Cafe Azul will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.

Construction on the new public library in Bladensburg is ahead of schedule, and it is now planned to open as early as this summer.

Originally slated to open in 2024, the 22,834 square-foot building is almost three times the size of the previous library at the same location at 4820 Annapolis Rd.

Joining new libraries in Hyattsville and Laurel, the library will feature a number of more modern features, including a makerspace, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and solar panels and electric-car charging stations.

It will be the first county building that is certified LEED Silver, the third-highest level of environmentally conscious designed recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The exterior of the building, which is almost complete, was designed by Gant Brunnett Architects to reflect the area’s history as a port, with a swooping design evocative of old-timey sailing ships.

The theme continues inside with nautical-themed art, a bowsprit sculpture at the entrance to the children’s area, which also features an authentic ship’s wheel, a wooden dock and colorful waves.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.

Communities along the Route 1 corridor have recently gained recognition for their efforts at boosting native pollinators.

Brentwood has a Pollinator Garden, Cottage City has a hive in its community garden and Edmonston created bee habitats in recycled tires in its middle school.

Hyattsville also created a bee-friendly food forest, Riverdale Park created an insect hotel, and College Park and Greenbelt were named official Bee Cities. University Park restored a wildflower meadow for wild bees, while a park in Mount Rainier teaches kids about their importance.

Just before Earth Day, the University of Maryland was also also recognized, being named as a “Bee Campus” due to efforts like its Honey Bee Lab and pollinator garden.

Scientists say the broad approach is helpful because each city has its own native bees. Creating areas where they can circulate help them move around, boosting the genetic diversity of the overall bee population.

You can learn more about how to help native bees in your own yard here.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.

Riviera Tapas has moved across the street to a new location in Riverdale Park.

After five years in the historic town center, the Spanish-Mexican fusion restaurant moved into the former home of Banana Blossom Bistro in the corner of the the Riverdale Park Town Center building.

The new restaurant location opened at its new spot at 6202 Rhode Island Ave., Suite 116, on March 31. Banana Blossom Bistro moved out of the space to a smaller location at Union Market a year ago.

Owner Hugo Bonilla, who is originally from El Salvador, built the menu around a a fusion of American, Spanish and Mexican tapas in contemporary and traditional cooking styles. Since opening in 2018, it’s become a mainstay of the Route 1 dining scene.

Riviera Tapas was named a runner-up for best Latin American restaurant and best brunch in the 2022 Hyattsville Wire readers poll.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.

Hyattsville will soon incorporate “living canopies” to its new bus shelters.

This summer, the city will add 10 new stations with solar panels and living vegetation from Cool Green Shelters, an offshoot of the local business Living Canopies.

You may have seen one of the company’s other products, a vegetation-laced umbrella stand, at the Vigilante Coffee in College Park.

University of Maryland professor David Tilley designed the aluminum umbrella stands, which incorporated four pots and a solar-powered standalone watering system.

But the company had to halt production during the coronavirus pandemic, which led Tilley to start noodling around with an old idea to create a greener shelter to help people waiting in the sun and the rain for a bus.

The bus shelters use hardy native plants on top to cut down on heat and direct rain water into a reservoir, while solar panels provide power for USB charging stations and LED lighting, allowing them to be self-sufficient.

He plans to add temperature gauges and other measurement tools to future versions of the shelter.

The shelters cost around $30,000 each, which Hyattsville paid for with grants.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.

Three Route 1 restaurants have been nominated for a prestigious industry award.

The 41st annual Rammy awards from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington recognize the top eateries in a number of categories at a gala on July 9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

This year’s nominee’s include:

Era Wine Bar: The popular Mount Rainier wine bar was nominated for the “quality, diversity, clarity and value of its wine program.” It faces Lulu’s Wine Garden, Primrose, Reveler’s Hour and St. Anselm.

Pennyroyal Station: Located next door in Mount Rainier, the popular restaurant was nominated for its “dedication to dining excellence, service, and value in a casual environment.” It faces Bammy’s, Destino, Maketto and Tonari.

Spice Kitchen West African Grill: Located inside the miXt Food Hall in Brentwood, the West African street food place was nominated for “favorite fast bites.” It faces competition from Chef Skip 202, Rasa, Roaming Rooster and Stellina Pizzeria.

Nominees were chosen by an anonymous panel of food and media professionals. You can vote for the three restaurants on the Rammy Awards page on NBC Washington’s website. Voting begins today and ends May 31.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.