Bertha’s Kitchen, a beloved family-run restaurant in North Charleston, is gaining even more recognition. Already a James Beard Award winner, the establishment has now secured a new achievement that will benefit both the kitchen and its customers.
A Legacy of Flavor and Community
For decades, Bertha’s Kitchen has been serving soul food, a legacy of Albertha Grant’s vision and skill, which has been passed down to her three daughters: Linda, Julia, and Sharon. “How did we get to where we are is people telling people made us just fly off the handle,” said Sharon. “It will make us bigger and better to serve our customers.”
The $50,000 Grant
The new development comes in the form of a $50,000 grant from American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Sharon expressed the significance of the grant, saying, “This is a very sturdy building. It needs a lot of work done like the awnings and some minor repairs like to the brickwork.”
The funding is part of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Program, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bertha’s Kitchen is one of just 50 small businesses nationwide to receive the grant this year, with a total of 180 restaurants having benefited from the program so far.
A Deep Connection to the Community
“We were born and raised right in this little area, in the Union Heights area,” Sharon explained. “And a lot of families have gone and a lot of people. We got a history with people from this area.” This deep connection to the community is what makes Bertha’s Kitchen so special to its patrons. “They love the people. People love the food and we love to see the smile on their face, the enjoyment of eating our food,” Sharon said.
A Strong Tradition of Support
Last year, Charleston’s Hannibal’s Kitchen was also awarded the same grant, furthering the tradition of supporting historic and beloved small restaurants in the region. With this new grant, Bertha’s Kitchen is set to continue its legacy of serving delicious soul food and bringing joy to the Lowcountry community.
