Bertha’s Kitchen Secures $50,000 Grant to Preserve Its Soulful Legacy
Charleston, SC — In a major victory for the Lowcountry’s culinary scene, beloved North Charleston institution Bertha’s Kitchen has been awarded a $50,000 grant from a national program dedicated to preserving historic small restaurants.
The grant is part of the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program, a collaboration between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. Bertha’s Kitchen, a Gullah soul food landmark founded in 1980, was selected as one of only 50 restaurants across the entire country to receive the prestigious funding in 2025.
The grant money is intended to help these culinary institutions upgrade and grow their businesses, ensuring they can continue to serve their communities for generations to come. Up to $10,000 can be used for general operating expenses.
This is not the first time Bertha’s Kitchen has received national recognition. The family-run business, famous for its incredible fried chicken, okra soup, and red rice, was also the recipient of a James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award in 2017.
The grant is a testament to the restaurant’s enduring legacy and its importance as a community hub that serves up not just delicious food, but a piece of Charleston’s history. It’s great to see a national program recognize a local institution that holds so much meaning to our city.
