When a vandal threw a brick through the glass of The Empanada Lady on South Street, owner Elisa Milan faced an unexpected expense that her insurance would not cover. Rather than let the damage shut down her beloved Latino eatery, Milan called on the community and local business groups for assistance.

Community rallying behind a local favorite

Using social media, Milan asked followers to “buy a little more and come visit.” The response was swift: regular patrons, delivery platforms and nearby office workers all stepped up, ordering meals and dining in to help offset the cost of a new window. Milan said she was surprised by the outpouring of love, noting that the support went beyond a single donation and turned into ongoing patronage.

Downtown Partnership’s role in the restaurant’s launch

Milan chose the South Street location after receiving a grant and a list of available spaces from the Downtown Partnership. The partnership also helped her navigate permits, allowing the restaurant to open in just 30 days. While Milan praised the assistance, she noted that more capital resources would benefit small businesses facing unexpected setbacks like vandalism or equipment failures.

Challenges of running a downtown restaurant

High utility and food costs, staffing turnover and occasional vandalism are daily hurdles for Baltimore restaurateurs. Milan highlighted staffing as her biggest ongoing challenge, describing the difficulty of maintaining consistent leadership over three years. Despite these obstacles, she sees the downtown area as on the rise, citing new college student traffic and upcoming redevelopment projects such as the Harborplace revitalization.

Giving back to the community

Beyond serving empanadas, Milan’s restaurant runs an internship program with YouthWorks, offering first‑chance and second‑chance hires to local youth. The walls feature artwork for sale, with proceeds going directly to the artists, and the space has become a welcoming hub for the LGBTQ community and for celebrating Puerto Rican culture.

Looking ahead

Milan remains optimistic about downtown Baltimore’s future. She believes that continued community engagement and more accessible funding for small businesses will help the area recover from setbacks and thrive. Her experience underscores how local entrepreneurship, when backed by supportive partnerships and neighborly goodwill, can weather even the toughest challenges.

Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.