8 MAY 20, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Neir’s Tavern receives $40,000 national grant for historic
restaurants recovering from COVID-19 economic hardship
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
The historic Neir’s Tavern in
Woodhaven is getting a muchneeded
cash infusion to help it
stay afl oat as the city begins its post-
COVID reopening.
The 191-year-old bar and grill, one
of the oldest establishments in the
fi ve boroughs, is one of 25 historic
and culturally significant restaurants
across the United States to be
recognized with a $40,000 grant from
American Express and the National
Trust for Historic Preservation.
“Neir’s Tavern is so grateful to be
included as an American Express and
National Trust for Historic Preservation
grant recipient,” Neir’s Tavern
owner Loycent Gordon said. “As the
oldest establishment on the list, we
appreciate that these organizations
are spotlighting the need to preserve
historic small businesses across the
country.”
Established in 1829, Neir’s Tavern
survived the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic,
two world wars and the Great
Depression, but nearly went out of
business in 2020 until the de Blasio
administration helped broker a new
deal to keep the doors open.
The COVID-19 pandemic created
new challenges for the establishment
as it draws closer to its bicentennial.
“As we struggle to survive our second
pandemic, this grant will ensure
that Neir’s Tavern’s outdoor area is
not only maintained but enhanced,”
Gordon said.
The “Backing Historic Small Restaurants”
funding will help each
of the 25 historic establishments
enhance restaurant exteriors, build
new outdoor seating areas, and
upgrade online businesses to help
mitigate operating costs as they work
to recover from the pandemic.
“Historic small restaurants are cultural
treasures that strengthen their
communities and carry their legacies
and traditions forward in deeply
meaningful ways,” National Trust
Chief Preservations Officer Katherine
Malone-France said. “These
restaurants have demonstrated their
resiliency for decades, and even while
dealing with the fi nancial impacts of
the pandemic, they have continued to
support their communities in many
ways.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic,
Gordon established a customer community
group called Neir’s 200 to
feed hundreds of community members,
conducted antibody testing
and cardiovascular screenings for
people who were avoiding medical
facilities.
“We are honored to play a role in
supporting these historic small restaurants
that have served their communities
for decades,” American Express
Chief Corporate Aff airs Offi cer
Jennifer Skyler said. “This program
expands our legacy of backing small
businesses by helping to preserve
these iconic restaurants and support
their recovery from the pandemic so
they can continue to welcome customers
for years to come.”
As part of the grant program,
American Express’ partners will also
provide support to the historic small
restaurants in areas their businesses
need most.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this outstanding
initiative and support these
historical small restaurants with innovative
products and services that
Photo courtesy of Flickr user The Whistling Monkey
“As we struggle to survive our second
pandemic, this grant will ensure that
Neir’s Tavern’s outdoor area is not
only maintained but enhanced.”
will help them pivot to doing business
in new ways,” AT&T National Business
& Channels President Stacey Marx
said. “These are places just down the
street where our communities come
together, and we’re honored to help
them build brand loyalty through a
digital customer experience.”
Neir’s Tavern served as the original
location for the Martin Scorcese
crime classic “Goodfellas” and Ben
Stiller’s “Tower Heist.” It was also
frequented by Mae West, who got her
start in the old ballroom.
Loycent Gordon,
Neir’s Tavern owner
“Like all small businesses, these
restaurants and their employees
represent the backbone of the U.S.
economy and are at the hearts of our
neighborhoods,” Dell Technologies
Senior Vice President Erik Day said.
“In a year when so many businesses
have been tested, we’re standing
alongside these historic restaurants
and providing them solutions that
will help them upgrade their digital
business capabilities, drive effi ciencies
and improve their customer
service.”
2022
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