Earlier this year, SoCalGas and the California Restaurant Foundation announced the Resilience Fund – a $1.5 million initiative to support local restaurants and their workforce. We are proud to highlight Holbox - one of the more than 300 restaurants statewide to receive a $3,500 grant through the Resilience Fund.  

Holbox is a seafood stand in South Los Angeles that draws inspiration from the traditional flavors of Mexico’s southern states, in particular the Yucatan Peninsula. The restaurant business is in Holbox owner Gilberto Cetina’s blood. He learned to cook at his family’s restaurant Chichen Itza while he was growing up. Cetina opened Holbox in 2017 and the restaurant quickly gained recognition for its fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and simple preparations. 

Last year, in order to keep Holbox’s doors open, Gilberto had to make some hard decisions like temporarily discontinuing their famous 6-course seafood tasting and other menu items. He plans on using the Resilience Fund grant money to help pay for his worker’s overtime.  

More than 130 Los Angeles County restaurants will also receive grants through the initiative.  Most of the restaurants are owned by women or people of color. The funds will be used for payroll and related expenses to help bring back workers or to free up funds for other expenses such as rent and technology upgrades. 

In addition to the grants, the Resilience Fund also provides support services and other resources to help restaurants improve their business for the long term.

More information about the Resilience Fund may be found here.