WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES NOVEMBER 5, 2020 3
Open Storefronts initiative launched ahead of holiday season
BY ALEJANDRA O'CONNELLDOMENECH
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
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. 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
File photo by Todd Maisel
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.
/openstorefronts
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