Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce addresses
impact coronavirus is having on local businesses
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MARCH 20-MARCH 26, 2020 13
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
The Greater Flushing
Chamber of Commerce is addressing
the impact of the coronavirus
(or COVID-19) on the
community and how they can
lend support to local businesses
harmed by the fears and
stigma surrounding the virus
sweeping New York City.
Local residents and business
owners participated at a
forum held on March 11 at St.
George’s Church in downtown
Flushing. They were joined by
representatives from the Small
Business Development Center,
the Office of the Queens
Borough President, and the
New York City Department of
Small Business Services.
Despite the fact that no
case of the coronavirus has
been detected in the community,
John Choe, executive director
of the Greater Flushing
Chamber of Commerce, said
news reports about COVID-
19 continue to reference and
show images of Flushing.
“This type of misleading
journalism and racial
profiling has generated
widespread fear and devastated
local business,” Choe
said. “Half the stalls in the
Hong Kong Supermarket
food court have already
closed due to a significant
drop in the number of New
Yorkers shopping in Flushing,
and we expect vacant
storefronts, joblessness, and
social repercussions for the
foreseeable future.”
Local entrepreneurs confirmed
the difficult economic
environment created in the
wake of the coronavirus panic
and offered a number of creative
suggestions.
Todd Leong, the owner of
Leaf Bar & Lounge, offered to
create low-cost neighborhood
gatherings at his venue to encourage
people to return to
downtown Flushing.
Shweta Parmar, the owner
of Gutsier Living, suggested
bartering and exchange of services
as a way to build more
solidarity and self-reliance.
Mee Mee Xie, the owner
of Wong Nutrition Center,
encouraged local businesses
to utilize technology like
WeChat and text broadcasting
platforms to reach a wider audience,
including many people
who speak Chinese.
At the forum, Sophiya
Khan, project manager at the
NYC Department of Small
Business Services, presented
information about Mayor Bill
de Blasio’s new plan to assist
small businesses hurt by
COVID-19.
Businesses with fewer
than 100 employees that have
experienced sales decreases
of 25 percent or more will be
eligible for zero interest loans
of up to $75,000. The city is
also offering businesses with
fewer than five employees a
grant to cover 40 percent of
payroll costs for two months
to help retain employees. Eligible
owners who would like
to learn more about these programs
should call 311 for assistance.
Rosa Figueroa, director
of the Small Business Development
Center at the City
University of New York, and
Shurn Anderson, director of
Economic Development at the
Office of the Queens Borough
President, also shared information
about resources that
could assist small business
owners.
Read the full story on
QNS.com.
John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of
Commerce, speaks at the community forum about the impact of
the coronavirus on local businesses.
Photo courtesy of Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce
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/QNS.COM
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