Ray Romano narrates tribute to Queens
small businesses impacted by COVID-19
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | AUG. 21-27, 2020 9
BY BILL PARRY
Forest Hills’ favorite son Ray Romano paid video
tribute to the small businesses, essential workers
and frontline heroes that served Queens residents
during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic declaring
“Queens Stands Strong Together.”
The video, titled “Queens Rising,” was narrated
by the Emmy Award-winning comedian produced
in conjunction with the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to releasing the video, the Chamber
announced a multi-pronged effort to get Queens’
businesses and economy back on track, including
several new initiatives to support existing businesses
across the borough while attracting new businesses
to Queens.
“The last few months have been incredibly difficult
for Queens, but we got through it because
Queens doesn’t quit,” Queens Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO Thomas J. Grech said. “We owe a
tremendous debt of gratitude to the frontline heroes,
essential workers and small businesses who continued
to serve Queens residents in the face of this
unprecedented pandemic. We are thankful to Ray
Romano for his support of Queens’ small business
community.”
Romano was raised at the family home at 70-17
Nansen St. and studied at Archbishop Molloy High
School in Briarwood for two years before transferring
to Hillcrest High School. After graduating, he
studied accounting at Queens College before becoming
one of the highest-paid actors on television, starring
on the hit show “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
“No matter where you are — Sunnyside, Astoria,
my hometown Forest Hills, Jamaica, the Rockaways,
let’s do what we all do best, what I know Queens does
best, and that is support each other,” Romano said.
Among the initiatives announced by the Chamber
include QueensCare, a day care program to support
working parents; Adopt a Small Business, allowing
corporations to sponsor local small business;
and QueensShoring, a collaboration with NYC Small
Business Services to bring manufacturing back to
Queens.
Other programs include QueensChamberBites,
an effort to support Queens’ restaurants and food service
industries; QueensChamberTech, a campaign
to attract, retain and grow a tech-based ecosystem
in strategic locations throughout the borough; and
more.
“Now is the time to get back to work, and we are
excited to announce that these new initiatives to help
our local businesses rebuild our economy stronger
than ever before,” Grech said.
The video was produced by Queens-native Emma
Leavy, and features footage from a number of beloved
local businesses including Bourbon Street in
Bayside, Kimmy Ma Art Studio in Fresh Meadows,
Great Bear Auto in Flushing, Martha’s Bakery in
Bayside, Laundry Stop in Queens Village, Patel
Brothers Supermarket in Jackson Heights and New
Golden Wine & Liquor in Bayside.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.
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