ORLANDO, Fla. — The pandemic put small businesses in dire financial straits, prompting many to reach out for funds. But what happens when that relief dries up?

“My PPP money runs out today," said Julie Casey, Owner and Chef of The Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen in College Park. “It wasn’t enough money to begin with. It’s unrealistic for decision-makers in Washington who have never spent a day in the restaurant business to make those decisions on our behalf.”

Eight weeks ago, we visited with Casey as she — after applying weeks prior — got approved for around $40,000 in PPP funds.

The money allowed the chef to hire back staff and in the weeks which followed, pay rent and utilities.

But the celebration was short-lived, as Casey was unable to get additional grants and business never fully returned.

Though weekend brunch was stellar, during the week, the restaurant was doing 20-25 percent of business prior to the pandemic, she explained.

And in the last eight weeks, the restaurant did roughly 20 carry-out orders.

Now, The Outpost is closing its doors on Sunday.

"I was holding onto it for as long as I could because I didn’t want to leave College Park. But the numbers don’t add up. Us entrepreneurs, we battle between what our heart says and what our brain says, and I just have no choice in the matter," she said.

Casey said that she and her husband also had to pull $12,000 from their own savings to pay for gaps in bills.

And though the restaurant was always planning on moving to a new location, serving as the anchor tenant at Maitland City Centre, the financial strain of the coronavirus pandemic expedited the process.

“We’re leaving sooner than I would've liked. I didn’t want to have to lay off the employees a second time. That sucks. Thankfully, a lot of them want to come with us to Maitland," she said.

The owner said that she hopes to open up the 4,500 sq. ft. location at 17-92 and Horatio Avenue for carry-out orders and outdoor dining by mid-August. Crews are laying water lines and will pour concrete this week, pending an inspection.

As Casey looks to shutter her College Park location, seeing what could be on the busy street corner in Maitland, seven-and-a-half miles away, gives her hope.

“I’m really looking forward to getting this underway, getting it started, getting open and getting people back to work," she said.

Resources for Orange County Small Businesses:

• ORANGE COUNTY: As of today, the Board of County Commissioners approved that if a company received $50k or less in a PPP loan, they are eligible to apply for additional funds from Orange County. The County said they are currently in the process of updating communications materials and information online for the business grant; it should be updated later this week.
• OUC PROGRAM: The Orlando Utilities Commission began a program last week, contacting around 9,000 small businesses to let them know they may be eligible. The program is designed to give credits of up to $1500 to businesses with non-demand meters.