Search Results for: &quot;small business&quot;

After falling behind on rent and closing its doors due to the pandemic, Little Italy's historic cheese shop has found a new home in New Jersey. Alleva Dairy, the 130-year-old cheese shop that was forced to close in February, will move to a bigger location in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, as first reported by NBC New York. The new location is currently under construction and is expected to open to customers in August.
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Queens Night Market returns this April with $6 price cap on all food items still in place

Queens Night Market, Photo by Storm Garner

February 8, 2023

Queens Night Market returns this April with $6 price cap on all food items still in place

While the price of food continues to increase at grocery stores and restaurants, one market in New York City is keeping consumer costs low. When the Queens Night Market opens for its eighth season this April, the open-air food market will maintain its popular price cap of $5 or $6 on all food items. Vendors will be able to stay affordable this year because of a sponsorship from Citizens bank, according to John Wang, the founder of the Queens Night Market.
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Events & Things To Do

20 ways to celebrate Black History Month 2023 in NYC

Photo of the Seneca Village mosaic courtesy of © 6sqft

February 1, 2023

20 ways to celebrate Black History Month 2023 in NYC

February is a month dedicated to the celebration of Black culture and achievements in the United States. In New York City, you can commemorate Black History Month with special events and programs at museums, theaters, art galleries, pop-up markets, parks, and more. From listening to the Harlem Chamber Players perform pieces by legendary Black composers to viewing period rooms inspired by homes from Seneca Village at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, here are 20 ways to celebrate Black history throughout February.
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Lunar New Year brings celebrations and joy to NYC’s Chinatown

All photos courtesy of Welcome to Chinatown unless otherwise noted

January 18, 2023

Lunar New Year brings celebrations and joy to NYC’s Chinatown

By Lidia Ryan

In early 2020, Vic Lee, who grew up in Manhattan's Chinatown, noticed that there was less foot traffic in her neighborhood. "It was obvious something was going on that Lunar New Year,” Lee said. “We talked to business owners, and it was because of xenophobia and racist rhetoric." During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in March of that year, she co-founded Welcome to Chinatown as a way to amplify small businesses and entrepreneurs in Chinatown via their Longevity Fund. The organization also has a meal donation program for underserved residents and does research and data collection. And this month, for the third year, Welcome to Chinatown will be hosting Lunar New Year celebrations to usher in the Year of the Rabbit, which begins January 22. We spoke to Lee about what to expect and what Lunar New Year means to her, as well as the Chinatown community.
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NYC Winter Outing returns with discounts at restaurants, Broadway shows, museums, and more

The New-York Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Jon Wallen

January 12, 2023

NYC Winter Outing returns with discounts at restaurants, Broadway shows, museums, and more

Reservations are now open to book some of New York City's most in-demand attractions, NYC & Company, the city's tourism agency, announced on Tuesday. "NYC Winter Outing," which runs from January 17 through February 12, offers discounts and special deals at restaurants, Broadway shows, museums, hotels, and more.
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December 14, 2022

10 made-in-NYC gifts that support local businesses

By Lidia Ryan

Give your loved one a little piece of NYC this holiday season. Yes, the Big Apple is a shopping mecca with big, luxury brands boasting beautiful flagship stores, but the local creators are with whom you’ll find more meaningful gifts. "The small businesses and local artists are the backbone of community and culture in any given city," Flannery Cronin, founder of Friend Of All, a Brooklyn-based shop selling handmade lamps, told 6sqft. "They are creating beautiful treasures that are made to last, and likely paying a living wage to those involved with its creation. If you choose to shop small this holiday season you will be doing your part to support your neighbors." Plus, there’s usually a great story behind local brands and creators that make the product all the more interesting. From accessories to food and drink, here are 10 made-in-NYC gifts to add to your shopping list.
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NYC unveils plan for car-free streets in Midtown to reduce holiday crowds

Photo by Alex Haney on Unsplash

November 23, 2022

NYC unveils plan for car-free streets in Midtown to reduce holiday crowds

Some streets in Midtown Manhattan will be closed to cars during the holiday season to provide New Yorkers and visitors a safe way to enjoy the festivities, Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday. Under the plan, the city will open 11 blocks to pedestrians, including a strip of Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street, the first time in 50 years the iconic thoroughfare will close to traffic. Starting next week, certain streets around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall will only be open to pedestrians during the busiest hours.
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Two major projects that would bring 3,200+ affordable homes to Brooklyn and Queens get key approval

Rendering of the proposed Innovation QNS district. Image courtesy of VERO Digital

November 18, 2022

Two major projects that would bring 3,200+ affordable homes to Brooklyn and Queens get key approval

Two major housing developments proposed for Brooklyn and Queens are moving forward. The New York City Council Committee on Zoning and Franchises on Thursday voted to approve rezonings Innovation QNS and Innovative Urban Village, which together would create more than 5,000 units of housing, 3,200 of which would be affordable. The two developments also include over 1,600 apartments for extremely or very low-income households.
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Here are NYC’s best holiday markets and pop-up shops of 2022

Image courtesy of

November 16, 2022

Here are NYC’s best holiday markets and pop-up shops of 2022

FAD Holiday Market The holiday season has arrived in New York City, and with it comes the dozens of festive winter shops that offer unique gifts and locally-made goods for New Yorkers and their loved ones. Ahead, discover the city's best holiday markets and pop-up shops, from the long-revered markets at Union Square and Bryant Park to newcomers like the Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market.
Find something for everyone on your list

A free festival celebrating Chinatown and its community takes place this weekend

Image courtesy of Wes Hicks on Unsplash

September 29, 2022

A free festival celebrating Chinatown and its community takes place this weekend

A new festival celebrating Chinatown is coming to Lower Manhattan. Hosted by the neighborhood advocacy group Welcome to Chinatown, the 88 East Fair aims to bring business and appreciation to Chinatown's businesses and cultural institutions that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Held at the East Broadway Mall at 88 East Broadway, the fair will run on September 30 and October 1 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Events & Things To Do

Bryant Park’s Winter Village returns for 21st season next month

Photo courtesy of Colin Miller

September 28, 2022

Bryant Park’s Winter Village returns for 21st season next month

Bryant Park's famous Bank of America Winter Village is set to return for its 21st season, offering New Yorkers the city's only free admission ice-skating rink, a renowned open-air holiday market, and the cozy rinkside Lodge with its seasonal cocktails and food. The Winter Village will be open daily starting October 28 through March 5.
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Events & Things To Do

Urbanspace to bring an outdoor holiday market to Brooklyn this year

Criollas at Columbus Circle Holiday Market in 2021, all images courtesy of Jacob Williamson

August 30, 2022

Urbanspace to bring an outdoor holiday market to Brooklyn this year

Food hall operator Urbanspace, known for hosting annual holiday markets in Union Square and Columbus Circle, announced last week that it will be opening a new location in Downtown Brooklyn just in time for the holiday season. Located in Columbus Park in Downtown Brooklyn, the new Brooklyn Borough Hall market will open on November 28 and run through December 26. Applications are being accepted for vendors at the new market until September 1, which can be submitted here.
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Events & Things To Do

Adams outlines long-awaited plan to tackle NYC’s housing crisis

Photo courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 16, 2022

Adams outlines long-awaited plan to tackle NYC’s housing crisis

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday finally released a plan to confront New York City's housing crisis. The plan, titled Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness, addresses the city's range of housing problems with a focus on reforming NYCHA, expanding affordable homeownership opportunities, creating more units of supportive and affordable housing, and eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers to housing for homeless New Yorkers. But unlike many of the affordable housing plans released in recent years, Adams' plan does not set a clear goal for the number of new affordable housing units created.
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NYC pols introduce legislation that would temporarily suspend commercial rent tax

Photo by Jason Tester on Flickr

June 2, 2022

NYC pols introduce legislation that would temporarily suspend commercial rent tax

The Covid-19 pandemic, among its many impacts, has drastically underscored the need for ways to mitigate steep commercial rents, such as rent regulation and temporary rent relief. Several local politicians have suggested solutions, including the temporary suspension of commercial rent tax. This week, New York City Council Majority Leader Keith Powers, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and Council Member Gale Brewer introduced legislation that would accomplish the latter.
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Policy

Mayor Adams proposes changes to city zoning rules to create more housing

Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

June 2, 2022

Mayor Adams proposes changes to city zoning rules to create more housing

Mayor Eric Adams wants to turn New York into a city of "Yes in my backyard." During an event hosted by the Association for a Better New York (ABNY) on Wednesday, the mayor introduced three citywide zoning amendments that would spur affordable housing creation, support small businesses, and reduce the city's carbon footprint. Under Adam's "City of Yes" plan, the Zoning for Housing Opportunity amendment would allow for a variety of housing types, make it easier to convert office space into housing, and reduce "unnecessary parking requirements" at developments.
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29 essential items that make working from home easier

Photo by Grovemade on Unsplash

March 7, 2022

29 essential items that make working from home easier

By Terri Williams

Whether you’re working from home a couple of days a week or spending the entirety of each workweek at home, you need to create the right environment to work efficiently. And since you’re at home, there’s no reason why you can’t also be comfortable – and choose items that you’d actually like to use. Ahead, find some of the WFH essentials you’ll need to create the perfect workspace.
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How to celebrate Black History Month 2022 in New York City

“Renaming Project” Exhibition, Photo Credit: Daniel Avila / NYC Parks

February 7, 2022

How to celebrate Black History Month 2022 in New York City

In the United States, February is a month dedicated to the celebration of African American history and culture. Ahead find a variety of events to commemorate Black History Month in New York City, ranging from community service and walking tours to jazz concerts and live performances.
Full list ahead

New food hall at Pier 57 will be curated by the James Beard Foundation

Image courtesy of S9 Architecture

January 31, 2022

New food hall at Pier 57 will be curated by the James Beard Foundation

The culinary nonprofit organization the James Beard Foundation (JBF) announced on Friday they will be the anchor tenant of Pier 57's new food hall, which is set to open in the fall of 2022. The food hall will be developed in cooperation with real estate and development firm Jamestown, which will work with the JBF to curate vendors and manage it for Google.
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Food & Dining

NYC bodegas launch campaign against corporation-backed 15-minute grocery delivery

Photo by Clément Falize on Unsplash

January 10, 2022

NYC bodegas launch campaign against corporation-backed 15-minute grocery delivery

New York City bodegas and delis are fighting back against 15-minute delivery startups. A group representing local grocers, the Save Mom-and-Pop Business Coalition, rallied on Sunday with elected officials, calling out the venture capitalist-backed services they say threaten the city's small businesses. The rally took place outside of Stop 1 Deli, a Lower East Side bodega located directly across the street from GoPuff, one of the delivery services in question. Delivery services like GoPuff have moved into large spaces on commercial strips, morphing them into warehouses stuffed with groceries and other goods.
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Hochul wants to make to-go cocktails legal again in New York

Photo of New Yorkers drinking on St. Mark’s Place by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

January 5, 2022

Hochul wants to make to-go cocktails legal again in New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday plans to introduce legislation permanently allowing the sale of to-go alcoholic beverages. First permitted at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to support the restaurant industry during the lockdown, the state ended takeout cocktails last June, coinciding with the lift of Covid-related restrictions. Legalizing the sale of to-go drinks will help local restaurants and bars recover from the pandemic, according to Hochul's proposal. "Cheers, New York," Hochul said Wednesday during her State of the State address.
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New bill seeks to bring back propane heaters for outdoor dining in NYC

Image courtesy of Bubby’s

November 30, 2021

New bill seeks to bring back propane heaters for outdoor dining in NYC

New York City Council Member Keith Powers last week introduced legislation that would allow the ongoing use of propane heaters for outdoor restaurant dining. The heaters, given the green light last year but banned again in October, helped restaurants stay afloat last winter by keeping diners cozy at Covid-safe outdoor tables.
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Photo: FAD Holiday Market

November 18, 2021

The 15 best NYC holiday markets of 2021

Even a pandemic can't keep a New York City shopper down. The city's retail landscape may look different now, but that hasn't dimmed the sparkle of beautiful baubles, clever crafts, and the company of fellow shoppers. While most of the city's holiday markets went virtual last year, many of our favorites have returned in their fabulous original form. The big Manhattan markets at Union Square, Bryant Park, and Columbus Circle are still impressive, but smaller, more intimate neighborhood gems shine brightly on their own. They're all great places to find seasonal delights like ice skating, live music, drinks, food, and family fun designed to keep shoppers' spirits bright.
Find out where the goods are

Events & Things To Do

Gowanus rezoning deal reached, with affordable housing and sewer upgrades on board

Photo by Danny Navarro / Flickr cc

November 11, 2021

Gowanus rezoning deal reached, with affordable housing and sewer upgrades on board

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s ambitious plan for the rezoning of Brooklyn's formerly industrial Gowanus neighborhood was finally approved by the city's Land Use Committee on Wednesday, after a decade of debate and drama. As Gothamist reports, the rezoning plan, the current administration's largest, was given the green light after Council Members Brad Lander and Stephen Levin, the borough's Community Board 6, and members of the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice reached a deal with City Hall that includes more investment in public housing and sewer infrastructure.
Find out more about what's ahead for Gowanus

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is now open for the season

Photo: Angelito Jusay

October 29, 2021

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is now open for the season