Diagram of what could be allowed through the Open Storefront Program. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office
The program provides expanded space for businesses to safely operate during the pandemic. On December 29, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the Open Storefronts Program would be extended through September 30, 2021. The Open Storefronts Program allows storefront businesses to use a portion of the sidewalk to display merchandise, complete transactions, sell goods and provide queuing areas to provide businesses with more space to expand and safely operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will also be expanded to allow businesses to sell prepackaged food on sidewalks and allow restaurants to use sidewalks for take-out orders.
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Diagram of what could be allowed through the Open Storefront Program. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office
The program is aimed to help provide more opportunities to shop safely. On October 28, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Open Storefronts program. Building on the success of the Mayor’s Open Restaurants and Open Streets program, Open Storefronts will provide safe spaces for small businesses to conduct business in the challenging economic environment while advancing Mayor de Blasio’s Recovery Agenda.
The program is expected to impact 40,000 businesses and support over 450,000 employees while providing customers with an additional option to shop in-person and locally ahead of the holiday shopping season. The Open Storefronts program began on October 30, 2020 and is set to run until December 31, 2020. (more…)
Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
The restaurants have committed to provide 87,000 free meals to impacted New Yorkers. On September 3, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity, and One Fair Wage announced nearly 100 restaurants were awarded $2.3 million through the Restaurant Revitalization Program to support restaurant employees and to make meals accessible to New Yorkers impacted by COVID-19. (more…)
Image Credit: SBS
The consultation focuses on state guidelines, outdoor seating, accessibility and personal protective equipment. On July 16, 2020, NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris announced the expansion of free virtual consultation services for small businesses in order to help them open up properly under the Open Restaurants guidelines and avoid fines and penalties. (more…)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo holds a coronavirus briefing Image Credit: Governors Office
New York City becomes final region in state to reach Phase 4 of reopening. On July 20, 2020, New York City officially entered a modified Phase 4 of the State’s reopening plan. Phase 4 in New York City marks the final stage of the State’s plan but should not be understood to mean that all industries, businesses and practices are back to pre-COVID-19 operations. Phase 4 industries include low-risk outdoor arts and entertainment, professional sports with no spectators, and media production like movies, music and television productions. Low-risk outdoor venues include zoos and botanical gardens, which are required to operate at no greater than a thirty-three percent capacity.
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