Bono’s Caribbean
Serving Flavor and Community in Fulton Richmond
Where: Richmond, VA
Industry: Food & Beverage
Since 2021, Bono’s Caribbean has been bringing authentic Jamaican cuisine to Fulton Hill in Richmond. Behind the grill is Chef Anthony, whose culinary creations are rooted in traditional recipes passed down from his grandmother, blended with decades of hands-on cooking experience. Anthony runs the business alongside his mother, Marcia, and his wife, Cortney, forming a family-driven team passionate about delivering freshly prepared Jamaican specialties and Southern comfort dishes — all made from scratch.
“The inspiration for this venture came from the need for more diverse food options in our neighborhood,” Cortney shared at a recent event. “We’re residents of Fulton, and we saw that need firsthand. Combined with [Chef Anthony’s] passion in the kitchen, we created a business we truly love.”
The Opportunity
In 2024, Anthony and Cortney Cornwall joined the Entrepreneurial Empowerment Program (EEP) — a collaborative initiative launched in 2022 by Culinary Concepts AB, Hatch, Bridging Virginia, and Capital One. The program offers local culinary entrepreneurs hands-on workforce development, training, and opportunities for financial support. Bono’s team joined with 5 other culinary small business owners in a 6-week training that integrates business development and culinary refinement. Upon completing the program, the Bono’s team was ready to take the next step: opening their first brick-and-mortar location and expanding their catering services. As part of EEP’s continued support, Bridging Virginia connected with Bono’s to explore how strategic capital could help fuel their growth and bring their vision to life.
Our Partnership
With their established history of success, Bono’s Caribbean secured a loan from Bridging Virginia to help elevate their business to the next level. This capital was instrumental in covering the up-front costs of renovating and outfitting their new restaurant space. The loan complemented a combination of city-issued grants, a grant from Bon Secours, and a personal investment from the Cornwall family.
"Bridging Virginia has been a true blessing on our entrepreneurial journey. Their support through a low-interest business line of credit gave us the financial boost we needed as we prepare to open our first brick-and mortar restaurant. We're incredibly grateful for their partnership." - Chef Anthony Cornwall
Beyond Capital
Within a year of completing EEP, Bono’s had opened their brick-and-mortar location to complement their food truck and catering services. The Fulton-area restaurant revitalized a long unused storefront, keeping this beloved family-business deeply rooted in the community it serves.