Councilman Robert Holden was among the Queens elected officials touting the city’s new small business relief programs. Courtesy of Holden’s offi ce
Queens’ top business stories of 2021
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | DEC. 31, 2021 - JAN. 6, 2022 17
BY JENNA BAGCAL
Queens businesses experienced ups
and downs in the midst of COVID-19.
During the course of the year, some
of our top stories included reports
about the city providing funding and
programs to help out small and Blackowned
businesses across the borough
and several chains opening their doors
for business.
Check out the top business
stories we reported on in 2021.
City launches new small business
economic support programs as part of
COVID recovery
In the effort to make more resources
available to small businesses recovering
from COVID-19, the mayor announced
$135 million in funding would
go directly to the Department of Small
Business Services.
According to SBS Commissioner
Jonnel Doris, the program would focus
on low- to moderate-income businesses
in hardest-hit communities and would
also aim to help businesses in the arts,
entertainment, recreation and food services.
“As the city continues on its journey
to recovery, it is critical that we make
small businesses the central focus of
our relief efforts,” Doris said. “SBS will
continue to strive for an inclusive recovery,
ensuring all small businesses
have the resources they need to get
back on their feet.”
Lidl grocery store to open fi rst Queens
location in Astoria
In April, Lidl discount grocery store
opened its first Queens location in Astoria.
The German-based grocer opened
its new outpost at 19-30 37th St. According
to the company, it operates about
11,200 stores in 32 countries and is
known for its low prices and high-quality
products.
The Astoria Lidl features an easy-toshop
layout with a fresh bakery, organic
and gluten-free options, fresh fruits
and vegetables, U.S.-sourced products
and unique European specialty items.
“With the recent economic downturn
hitting Queens especially hard,
we are thrilled about the opening of
Lidl discount grocery in Astoria and
are excited that the store will offer
good-paying jobs that start at $17 an
hour,” Richards said. “Lidl is known
around the world for its low prices and
its diverse, healthy and high-quality
food offerings, so it is most fitting for
the company to open its first New York
City store right here in the ‘World’s
Borough.’ The arrival of Lidl in Queens
is truly great news for the wallets and
the taste buds of our borough’s hardworking
residents.”
City launches campaign to support
Black-owned businesses impacted by
COVID
Back in February, the city rolled
out the Shop Your City: BE NYC initiative
to generate attention and support
for Black businesses, which constitute
3.5 percent of all businesses in the five
boroughs.
Southeast Queens elected officials
applauded the program, which
launched during Black History Month.
According to studies, Black businesses
were and are severely impacted by COVID
19 and are twice as likely to shut
down, having a 41 percent decrease in
business activity between February
and April 2020 alone.
During its creation, BE NYC was the
first-of-its-kind program in a major American
city to help address the racial wealth
gap, actively working to address the needs
of struggling Black business owners
during the pandemic and beyond.
Chick-fi l-A to open fi rst standalone
location in Elmhurst
Popular fast food chain Chick-fil-A,
known for its crispy chicken sandwiches
and waffle fries, opened a new location
in Elmhurst.
At the time, the site at 4027 82nd St.
became the first stand-alone location
in Queens, joining another location inside
the Queens Center Mall food court.
The store is operated by Aman Mekonen,
an Ethiopian-born franchisee
raised in Stamford, Connecticut. Makonen
and his family moved to Flushing
after living in New York City for
the past 15 years.
Prior to this venture, Mekonen
earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn
State, a master’s degree from Fordham
University and had previous experience
in the U.S. Army, UBS, Goldman
Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Greystone & Co.
“I’m elated to have the opportunity
to offer Chick-fil-A’s delicious food
and signature hospitality to the diverse
community of Jackson Heights,”
Mekonen said.
YEAR IN REVIEW
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