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4 THE QUEENS COURIER • NOVEMBER 5, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Open Storefronts initiative launched ahead of holidays BY ALEJANDRA O’CONNELLDOMENECH MLB owners, de Blasio approve new Mets owner BY JOE PANTORNO editorial@qns.com @QNS Put those “Sell Th e Team” shirts in your memorabilia chests, pour yourself a cup of tea, and take a moment to revel in what has happened this Friday aft ernoon, Mets fans. Steve Cohen is the owner of the New York Mets. Major League Baseball’s club owners voted to approve the transferral of the New York Mets to the hedge fund billionaire, a source told amNewYork Metro. Th e 64-year-old Long Island native needed 22 of the remaining 29 club owner votes to get the fi nal OK from MLB. It is unclear at this time how many votes Cohen received. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate Mr. Cohen on receiving approval from the Major League Clubs,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Steve will bring his lifelong passion for the Mets to the stewardship of his hometown team, and he will be joined by highly respected baseball leadership as well. I believe that Steve will work hard to deliver a team in which Mets fan can take pride.” Just moments later, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio confi rmed that he will not block Cohen’s takeover, thus eliminating the fi nal hurdle blocking the billionaire from the Mets. “Th e New York City Law Department has completed its legal review of the proposed sale of theMets,” de Blasio wrote. “New York City has no objections and the Mets can now proceed with the transaction.” Th e mayor’s law department reviewed Cohen’s credentials to take over the land at Citi Field under the 2006 Stadium Lease Agreement between the New York City Industrial Development Agency and Queens Ballpark Company. Th at agreement lists a clause that would allow the mayor to block the transferral of city land to a person who has been convicted of a felony. Cohen, however, has not been charged with a crime despite his former hedge fund, S.A.C. Capital, having to pay $1.8 billion in fi nes for wire and securities fraud. Within MLB’s ownership ranks, it was a wellknown fact that Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was opposed to Cohen taking over the Mets. He was the lone “no” vote in the initial eight-man MLB ownership committee vote last week and was expected to sway a few votes his way Friday. Regardless, Cohen’s confirmation from all of the powers that be will make him the richest owner in Major League Baseball with a net worth of approximately $14.6 billion. While initial expectations tabbed him to spend that fortune wildly to thrust the Mets into contention, multiple reports from amNewYo r k Metro and others have tabbed that will be far from the case. Cohen has brought in former Mets GM and longtime executive Sandy Alderson as the team’s president of baseball operations. Among the fi rst orders of business — which will include responsible spendingvia free agency and the trade market — is creating a well-rounded franchise bybeefi ng up the analytics departmentand laying down roots foraffl uent international scouting. Cohen also announced in a statement that “all Mets employees. All Mets employees, including unionized groundskeepers, security guards, and engineers, will receive reinstituted pre-pandemic salaries as of Nov. 1, reversing the 5 to 30 percent salary cut implemented in March. Th e value of this commitment is over $7 million.” “We plan to dramatically increase the giving of the Mets Foundation in the coming years, with priority given to nonprofi ts and causes in communities surrounding Citi Field,” Cohen continued. “We will donate $17.5M to programs developed by the city to make grants to local area small businesses to assist them in these uniquely troubling times. Th is tax-deductible donation would be received and held by the NYC Economic Development Corporation.” radomenech@qns.com @AODNewz 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. Th e initiative is modeled aft er 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 fi le a joint Open Streets 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 and fi ve feet high directly in front of their buildings. Th ey must allow an eight-foot clear path for pedestrians at all times, offi cials said. Offi cials do not expect the initiative to impact roadways since the only businesses that are already off ering outdoor dining or are enrolled in Open Streets would will have street space closed to traffi c. Th e new eff ort 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. File photo by Todd Maisel REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson With the purchase of glasses, contact lens e l. 2 Boxes of Lenses Frames & Lenses DESIGNER FRAMES PLUS FREE 2ND PAIR * $200 minimum purchase on first pair of designer frames. Second pair frame from select group with Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Not valid with any other offers, sales, vision plans or packages. Offer ends 11/30/20 offers, sales, vision plans or packages. Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Offer ends: 11/30/20 ��brand clear sphericalLenses/*Contact lens fitting additional. Not valid for Toric lenses. Not valid with any other offers, sales, vision plans or packages. Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Some restrictions apply, see store for details. Offer ends: 11/30/20 Select frames with clear plastic, single vision lensas vision plans or packages. Must present prior to purchase. Offer valid at this location only. Some restrictions apply, see store for details Offer ends: 11/30/20 NOVEMBER SALES 8 DESIGNER 8 SUNGLASSES SALE /openstorefronts link link /WWW.QNS.COM link link link link