Local Businesses Compete For Grants

Philip Grabowski, director for Kings Park based Kidsknits,  a website based knitting supply company, said he has managed to stay afloat in the last few years of a rocky economy and is now ready to expand to other markets and is hoping a few votes in an online competition will help him to just that.

“We are a very niche business. We’d like to add a wider audience to our market,” said Grabowski. “We are looking to expand into other markets, other retail areas.”

Kidknits is one of five local businesses vying for a $250,000 grant via the "Mission: Small Business" competition, which is sponsored by Chase and LivingSocial. Twelve grants of $250,000 will be awarded to small businesses across the country.

KidKnits launched in 2002 and sells retail knitting supplies, patterns, pattern books and yarn. Grabowski’s wife MaryAnne is the knitting expert and has created several exclusive designs.

Among other local small businesses in the running are , Doggie Couture Shop, and a company called I.W.D./G.C.G.

 Businesses that grab enough votes in the initial round will move on to the next round, in which a panel of business experts will choose 12 winners.

To support your local businesses, visit https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/ and search by state and city. Voting ends June 30 at 11:59 p.m.