The program awards 50 restaurants across the US and its territories with $50,000 each.

The program, now in its fifth year, has reached 180 historic small restaurants and granted more than $8 million to cultural and culinary landmarks in every state, plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Officials say the grants help restaurants upgrade and grow their businesses by making exterior public-facing improvements to their historic buildings, focusing on elements such as murals, awnings, lighting, signage upgrades, painting or cleaning of facades, or the creation of outdoor seating areas.

Officials also say up to $10,000 of each grant may be used for unrestricted uses such as general operating expenses.

Besides the grant, American Express' restaurant management software, Resy OS, will be offered for one year of complimentary use by the restaurant.

This grant comes just five months after the local restaurant suffered an early morning fire.