Screen Shot 2022 04 25 at 2.55.45 PM NEW: 3 local businesses win $45K award from First Horizon Bank — Griggs Designs came in second place in the First Horizon contest. (First Horizon Bank)

First Horizon Bank has awarded a total of $45,000 to three Birmingham small businesses. Cala Coffee Company, Griggs Designs and Feast are the winners of the First Horizon Back to Business contest, designed to reward local business that uplift the community. Read on to find out more.

Time to celebrate

Cala Coffee Company NEW: 3 local businesses win $45K award from First Horizon Bank — Cala Coffee Company won the first place prize of $30K. (First Horizon)

Through the First Horizon Back to Business contest, $1 million is awarded to 57 small business across six states. More than 140 entries were submitted in the Birmingham area and the top three winners were voted on by the public.

To enter the contest, each business submitted a picture along with an explanation of what they’d do with the prize money in 150 words or less.

You voted and the results are in! Here’s who won big:

First Prize: Cala Coffee Company | coffee shop in Cahaba Heights | awarded $30,000
Second Prize: Griggs Designs | graphic design team | awarded $10,000
Third Prize: Feast | local catering company | awarded $5,000

“Strong businesses are the cornerstone of strong communities, and championing those businesses is at the heart of everything we do. First Horizon provides capital and counsel to local businesses and we look forward to working with these exceptional companies and supporting the Birmingham community.”
Alex Morton, President, Birmingham Market

What’s next?

Feast 2 NEW: 3 local businesses win $45K award from First Horizon Bank — Feast catering—third place winners. (First Horizon)

Now that they’ve got the prize money, we can expect some exciting projects from these local small businesses.

The husband-wife duo at Cala Coffee Company will use their $30,000 award to offset the building expenses for their new brick and mortar coffee shop in Cahaba Heights, set to open this summer.

“We are so thankful for the prize money from First Horizon because it allows us to create a peaceful space for people to gather and enjoy a cup of coffee. We love being able to provide delicious coffee and now we can share it with even more people in Alabama.”
Josh Cosio, Owner, Cala Coffee Company

Griggs Designs, Birmingham-based graphic design company, said in their submission statement that their prize money will be used to empower the community through various initiatives within the company.

“It’s on us” is their new formal community outreach program where they teach youth about graphic design and empower entrepreneurs to be self-sufficient in crafting their brand. Community cleanups, business forums and financial literacy events are also in the works.

Third-place winner, Feast, is a business that makes catering easier for Birmingham restaurants. Their prize money will go towards equipment for their new kitchen.

“We started Feast with a dream to create innovation for the Birmingham restaurant industry to make the lives better for employees, restaurants and customers. We have had great success bringing over $1 million in sales to local restaurants in our first year.
Now, we are partnering with a local restaurant to build Birmingham’s first ghost kitchen designed around creating innovative ways to serve customers and create new methods to help keep the doors open for local restaurants.”
Feast, in their contest submission

These businesses will continue to uplift the Birmingham community.

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