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Vicky’s Restaurant:
"Rebuilding a Dream Through the Pandemic"
When Vicky Mora, owner of Vicky’s Restaurant, first came to us, she had already built a loyal following for her Dominican cuisine in Lynn, Massachusetts. Her food was full of warmth, culture, and family — and she was ready to grow. The plan was to expand into a new, larger location right next door to her original restaurant.
We began working together on this exciting transition, guiding the design and layout process to make sure the new space would reflect her vision. But as we reviewed the existing plans, we noticed a major problem.
The Challenge
Before we joined the project, Vicky had worked with another architect whose design removed the restaurant’s hot food line — the heart of her business. This design change would have completely eliminated her ability to serve her most popular prepared dishes.
On top of that, she couldn’t get the plan review approved by the City of Lynn. Each round of revisions took weeks, stalling progress and increasing costs. The project was stuck in place, and the window to move forward was closing fast.
That’s when we stepped in. We took over the design, reinstated the hot food line, and worked directly with our architect, John Tomaz, to produce a compliant, functional layout. Within a short period, we successfully secured plan review approval from the City of Lynn, allowing construction to finally begin.
But just as things were moving forward, the world changed. On March 16, 2020, the COVID-19 lockdown was announced — and everything stopped.
The shutdown forced Vicky’s original restaurant to close, cutting off the cash flow that was supposed to fund the new buildout. Work halted mid-project, leaving her with a half-finished space, rising expenses, and no clear path forward.
Our Intervention
We knew Vicky’s dream couldn’t end there. Our team at Manka Inc. shifted into full problem-solving mode.
We stepped in as project managers and general contractors, working alongside Golden Builders and architect John Tomaz to keep the project alive despite the financial and logistical chaos of the pandemic.
To bring warmth and vibrancy to the new space, we partnered with Hadassah Design for interior design — creating a mood board, selecting finishes, and accompanying Vicky on shopping trips to choose materials that celebrated her Dominican roots.
At the same time, we worked tirelessly to secure financial relief, applying for every available resource, including PPP loans, EIDL, local Lynn grants, and MGCC COVID grants. We also handled equipment selection and sales, ensuring that each piece fit perfectly within the redesigned kitchen and budget.
Our goal was simple but powerful: get Vicky’s Restaurant open again — better than before.
The Results
Despite every obstacle, Vicky’s Restaurant successfully completed the buildout and reopened. The new space was fully approved, fully equipped, and perfectly aligned with Vicky’s business model.
Beyond reopening, we also helped her find a tenant for her previous location, generating an additional $40,000 in capital to support operations at the new restaurant.
The reopening marked not just a business milestone, but a personal victory — the restoration of a dream that nearly disappeared.
The Transformation
What started as a stalled project during a global crisis became one of our proudest success stories. Together, we transformed uncertainty into opportunity, and helped a small business owner reclaim her future.
By stepping in, redesigning the plan, securing approvals, and guiding Vicky through every stage of construction and funding — we turned a halted buildout into a thriving Dominican restaurant once again.
Without our support, Vicky’s doors might never have reopened, but together, we made it happen.
