Project
What’s the Dill
This one-of-a-kind deli restaurant serves kosher dill pickle sandwiches, catering to vegans, vegetarians, Keto dieters, and people with other unique dietary restrictions.
Location |
Detroit Metro |
|---|---|
Investment Type |
Business Assistance, Financing | See Glossary |
Partners |
Detroit Development Fund, Michigan Women Forward |
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Leona Milton was moved by culinary curiosity to launch What’s the Dill, Michigan’s first and only deli that turns the humble pickle into an innovative sandwich.
Milton received tailored business assistance through Michigan Good Food Fund that prepared her for financing early in her entrepreneurial journey. Her first loan was secured in 2022 from Michigan Women Forward to help bolster What’s the Dill’s financial footing. Additional support came in the form of legal, accounting, and marketing support. In 2023, Michigan Good Food Fund assisted Milton in obtaining working capital from Detroit Development Fund to help What’s the Dill improve distribution and explore the prospects of selling its one-of-a-kind products at local food retailers.
“A deep passion for creativity motivates me to run my deli restaurant. I believe in the power of food to bring people together, and running a deli allows me to contribute to the culinary landscape by offering a diverse menu of fresh, thoughtfully prepared options.”
– Leona Milton, Owner of What’s the Dill
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