Portabella’s Wins Foley Main Street Bright Ideas Pitch Contest

Portabella’s has been named the winner of the Foley Main Street Pitch Contest and will advance to the Main Street Alabama regional competition, where it will compete for another $10,000 grant and an invitation to the 2025 Bright Ideas State Finals for a chance at an additional $25,000 grant. Portabella’s beat out five other local businesses vying for the top spot: As Seasons Change Down South; Colt Grill, BBQ & Spirits; Dorothy June Booksellers; Feast & Co.; and Southern Shores Eats & Drinks. The Bright Ideas grant program is injecting nearly $400,000 into emerging and growing businesses in Designated Main Street Alabama communities across the state. It is supported by funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The competition, exclusively for businesses in the Foley Main Street District and current 2024/2025 Foley Main Street supporters, provided a platform for existing businesses to pitch their business expansion ideas. To qualify, businesses were required to present a persuasive three-minute video pitch detailing how they would invest the grant funds to expand and grow their businesses.