City launches Open Storefronts
Initiative pushed out ahead
of the holiday season
A business in The Hub Courtesy of Live XYZ
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,BTR NOVVEMBER 6-12, 2020 11
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 on Wednesday.
The initiative is modeled
after the city’s Open Restaurant’s
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 Restaurant’s
program can use
the curb lane in front of their
stores and neighboring stores
can fi le a joint Open Street
application in order to claim
more potential outdoor retail
space, offi cials said.
Store owners will be allowed
to set up outdoor retail
space fi ve feet out directly
from their buildings as well as
fi ve feet high and at all times
allow an eight-foot clear path
for pedestrians, offi cials said.
Offi cials 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 traffi c.
The new effort is expected
to help the city’s roughly 40,000
local businesses hurt by the
coronavirus pandemic regain
lost profi ts and staff by boosting
sales. Store owners interested
in taking advantage of
the program can fi ll out an application
at nyc.gov/openstorefronts.
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.
Read more stories like this
at bxtimes.com.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc
Commissioner
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