Open Storefronts initiative launched ahead of holiday season
BY ALEJANDRA O'CONNELL-DOMENECH
New York City small business owners
will be able to sell their wares outdoors
as part of the city’s new Open
Storefronts Program, Mayor Bill de
Blasio announced last week.
The initiative is modeled after the
city’s Open Restaurants program and
will allow shop owners to set up space
to sell merchandise on sidewalks directly
in front of their business. Businesses
already enrolled in the city’s
Open Restaurants program can use
the curb lane in front of their stores
and neighboring stores can file a joint
Open Streets application in order to
claim more potential outdoor retail
space, officials said.
Store owners will be allowed to set
up outdoor retail space five feet out
and five feet high directly in front of
their buildings. They must allow an
eight-foot clear path for pedestrians at
all times, officials said. Officials do not
expect the initiative to impact roadways
since the only businesses that are
already offering outdoor dining or are
enrolled in Open Streets would will
have street space closed to traffic.
The new effort is expected to help
the city’s roughly 40,000 local businesses
hurt by the coronavirus pandemic
regain lost profits and staff by boosting
sales. Store owners interested in
taking advantage of the program can
fill out an application at nyc.gov/openstorefronts.
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.4 COM | NOV. 6-NOV. 12, 2020
Small business owners
will be able to sell their merchandise
outdoors from Oct. 30 until Dec. 31.
Mayor de Blasio said that the city
chose to roll out the new initiative now
to allow businesses to capitalize off the
Christmas season. “Everyone knows
that this is such a crucial time of year
for small businesses,” said de Blasio.”
And we want them to be able to maximize
it.”
Small Business Services Commissioner
Janell Doris said that the initiative
will help store owners engage with
customers and lock in sales while also
allowing them to free up space inside
of stores to prevent crowding. Small
business owners with questions on
the program or help in implementing
it can reach the department by calling
888-SBS-4NYC or by emailing resources@
nyc.gov.
File photo
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc
Commissioner
link
link
/nyc.gov
/nyc.gov
