‘Storefront’ fund — City says your favorite Capitol Hill and Central District business can get $6K to thwart burglars and break-ins

(Image: Aoki Sushi)

After burning through smaller allocations, city officials tell CHS there is more than $3 million in the coming year being dedicated to helping small businesses deal with burglaries including special funding earmarked for Capitol Hill.

The update comes as CHS reported last week on the headaches of broken glass, plywood, and roll-down security doors Capitol Hill and Central District restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops are dealing with this holiday season.

While TV news follow-ups might make it sound like small businesses are on their own, the city has put more resources in place to help that can do more than just replace broken glass.

The city’s Office of Economic Development says the boosted Storefront Repair Fund has been budgeted for $3.3 million in spending in 2026 and applicants can request up to $3,000 for repairs or $6,000 for security and prevention expenditures like new rolling security doors and gates.

SPD Chief Shon Barnes and his department leadership have also said the city should begin to see public safety improvements as a turnaround in police hiring takes hold and alternatives like the CARE Department crisis responders grow.

SPD Assistant Chief Robert Brown told the crowd at a recent Capitol Hill community crime forum that the turnaround in SPD hiring will begin to pay dividends in the year ahead as there will be more officers to deploy to cover the city’s round-the-clock shifts. Boosted salaries and generous bonuses have been a core to the change.

In addition to the businesses that have applied directly to the city’s Storefront fund, the city says the GSBA chamber of commerce is also administering a portion of the neighborhood Investment funding where they are providing help to additional Capitol Hill businesses who apply directly to them for support for repairs or prevention.

The city’s expanded program doesn’t mean the break-ins are not a costly pain. You should still consider pitching in when you see the next neighborhood GoFundMe or social media plea for support from a local business. A recent example? Aoki Sushi suffered a damaging burglary late last month. It’s an excellent time to stop in or order some takeout from the North Broadway restaurant.

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