WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Stories of restaurants struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic aren't hard to come by.
Mi Patria in West Des Moines is one of those businesses. Family-owned, there isn't a day where patrons don't see cousins, aunts and more walking around.
They specialize in Ecuadorian cuisine, a one-of-a-kind find in Iowa.
"2020 has been a really tough year," said Cesar Miranda, owner of Mi Patria.
The pandemic has slashed business due to COVID-19 restrictions in the state. Miranda said in-person dining numbers are down by 80%.
"You're just hoping every day that the phone rings or anybody walk in," Miranda told Local 5's Jon Diaz.
There is hope on the horizon.
Starting Monday, Iowa bars and restaurants impacted by the pandemic will be able to apply for a one-time grant through the Iowa Restaurant and Bar Relief Grant Program.
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the program during her press conference on Jan. 21.
The program will provide $40 million in funding. However, not all restaurants and bars will be covered.
Restaurants must be based in Iowa with a brick-and-mortar location. National chains and franchises are not eligible.
How much a restaurant receives will be based on how big a percentage loss they experienced last year. They must have seen a 15% decrease in sales during the second and third quarters of 2020.
The application period begins at 12 p.m. on Feb. 1 and will close at 5 p.m. on Feb. 15. All applications submitted within that time will be considered for an award.
The impact of these grants can be widespread— pre-pandemic there were about 155,000 Iowans working in the food and beverage sector.
Restaurants like Mi Patria can apply for up to $25,000 in grants.
"When you're looking at that, yeah, $10-25,000 is real money in the restaurant world," said Jessica Dunker with the Iowa Restaurant Association.
Miranda is no stranger to programs like this.
"I think that is why we're still open," Miranda said. "Because if we didn't get the help, I don't know that I would be sitting here talking to you."
While Miranda remains hopeful, he said there are too many unknowns.
"Keep hoping that one day this will be over, that everything will come back to normal," he said. "How long it's going to take... I don't think anyone knows."