Launched in 2010, Girl and the Goat is one of the true pioneers of the boom on Randolph Restaurant Corridor. It is a James Beard nominee for ‘Best New Restaurant in America’ and spawned three more restaurants. These endeavors are spearheaded by chef Stephanie Izard in collaboration with the Boka Restaurant Group.

Prior to the accolades and growth, Rob Katz and the Boka Restaurant Group turned to SomerCor and used an SBA 504 loan for the purchase and renovation of both the Girl and the Goat and the Little Goat Diner. The financing structure of the 504 loan allows businesses to put less money down, freeing up more capital to renovate in a way that matches the client’s true vision.

Like restaurants around the state, Izard and her team faced the challenge of COVID-19 head-on and reinvented themselves. As covered by the Chicago Tribune, they “transformed into Girl and the Goat-ceries, offering meal kits and grocery items for guests to pick up curbside.” Meal kits are live online to preorder and can be picked up at 820 W. Randolph St.

In addition, the Boka Restaurant Group launched a relief fund to support their employees. The founders of the company personally contributed $100,000 to help BRG employee relief.

The SBA 504 loan program assists America’s small businesses for the acquisition of commercial real estate and heavy machinery/equipment, as well as refinancing certain qualifying fixed-asset debt. SomerCor helps you obtain the SBA 504 loan, which provides long-term, fixed-rate financing or refinancing for up to $5.5 million

Download the program flyer and connect with a member of SomerCor’s loan origination team today to learn more!


Margaret Griffin
EVP, Chief Lending Officer
mgriffin@somercor.com
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Brian Comiskey
EVP, Chief Credit Officer
bcomiskey@somercor.com
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Elisabeth Williams
VP, Loan Officer
ewilliams@somercor.com
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Eric Bacon
VP, Loan Officer
ebacon@somercor.com
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