NORTH CHARLESTON — An iconic Lowcountry restaurant once recognized by the James Beard Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant as part of a nationwide campaign funded by American Express.

Bertha’s Kitchen , a soul food eatery first opened by Albertha Grant in 1981, was one of 50 establishments to receive the funds as part of the 2025 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program, which is administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Backing Historic Small Restaurants launched in 2020 and has since gifted more than $8 million to 180 restaurants in all 50 states. Hannibal’s Kitchen in Charleston was given $50,000 in 2024 as part of the program.

This year, establishments across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were awarded grants “to help renovate an

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