Search Results for: "small business"

66-year-old East Village restaurant Veselka shares its COVID struggles

Photo of Veselka by James and Karla Murray for 6sqft. See more here >>

September 1, 2020

66-year-old East Village restaurant Veselka shares its COVID struggles

After closing in March, Veselka reopened for takeout and delivery at the end of April, and both their main location and their secondary spot in the Market Line food hall are open for outdoor dining. But like so many others across the city, the 66-year-old Ukrainian restaurant is struggling without indoor dining. In a video interview with photographers James and Karla Murray, second-generation co-owner Tom Birchard said, "We need to have more tables than we have right now to survive long-term."
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Food & Dining

NYC restaurant group threatens lawsuit over indoor dining ban

Courtesy of the Times Square Alliance

August 20, 2020

NYC restaurant group threatens lawsuit over indoor dining ban

By Devin Gannon

Although New York City's coronavirus infection rate hit an all-time low this week since the start of the pandemic at 0.24 percent and reopening plans for museums, schools, and bowling alleys have been announced, there is still no return date for indoor dining. The New York City Hospitality Alliance, a group representing the city's restaurants and nightlife venues, called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio this week to develop a plan to resume indoor dining in New York City, the only region in the state to not permit it. During a press conference on Wednesday, the group said they are considering suing over the indoor dining ban, which they see as unlawful, according to Crain's.
Details here

Courtesy of WATG

August 19, 2020

This is what a landscaped ‘green block’ would look like in the Flatiron District

By Devin Gannon

During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in New York City, fewer cars were on the road, leading to cleaner air and less noise pollution. And with nearly everything temporarily shut down, New Yorkers sought solace in open green spaces, parks, and open streets closed to cars. As the city is in the midst of reopening, WATG, a global multidisciplinary design firm, has proposed a plan to make the streets of New York greener while helping small businesses recover in the process.
More here

David Chang, Tom Colicchio, and others propose ‘Safe and Just Reopening Plan’ for restaurants

Photo by Marcus Herzberg from Pexels

August 10, 2020

David Chang, Tom Colicchio, and others propose ‘Safe and Just Reopening Plan’ for restaurants

By Dana Schulz

Despite the outward success of outdoor dining, New York City's restaurant industry is struggling. A report from the NYC Hospitality Alliance found that 83 percent of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and event venues did not pay their full July rent, and last week, unemployed Americans lost the $600 bonus to their unemployment checks. And with indoor dining on hold indefinitely, there seems to be no clear path forward. This is why nearly 50 restaurant owners in the city, including David Chang, Tom Collichio, and Danny Meyer, have penned a letter to Governor Cuomo outlining their four-part "Safe and Just Reopening Plan" that most notably calls for eliminating the tipped minimum wage.
Learn about the whole plan here

UrbanSpace will open a new food hall at Union Square tech hub

Rendering of Zero Irving courtesy of RAL Development Services

August 7, 2020

UrbanSpace will open a new food hall at Union Square tech hub

By Dana Schulz

Pioneering food hall operator Urbanspace is opening its latest outpost at Union Square reports the NY Post. They've leased 10,000 square feet at Zero Irving, the contested tech hub on 14th Street that will serve as office space, a technology training center and incubator, co-working spaces, and an event space when it opens in the first half of 2021.
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Food & Dining

De Blasio says outdoor dining will return to NYC next summer

Outdoor dining on West 71st Street between Central Park West and Columbus. Photo by 6sqft.

August 3, 2020

De Blasio says outdoor dining will return to NYC next summer

By Dana Schulz

In a press conference this morning, Mayor de Blasio announced that the city's popular Open Restaurants program will return on June 1, 2021, if not earlier in the spring. He recently expanded this year's outdoor dining program through October 31 after it was found to be successful and safe and after the state indefinitely postponed indoor dining in New York City. De Blasio said that an estimated 80,000 jobs from more than 9,000 participating businesses have been saved since the program launched on June 22 when the city entered phase two of reopening.
More details ahead

Chinatown’s historic Mott Street is transformed into an outdoor dining oasis

All photos courtesy of Emily Andrews for Rockwell Group

July 30, 2020

Chinatown’s historic Mott Street is transformed into an outdoor dining oasis

By Devin Gannon

Chinatown's Mott Street got a colorful upgrade on Wednesday with a block-long outdoor installation designed by architect David Rockwell. His firm, Rockwell Group, launched DineOut NYC earlier this summer to help New York City restaurants safely open outside by providing design templates for creative ways to use sidewalk and street space. Mott Street, now closed to cars between Mosco and Worth Streets, serves as the program's first community-wide dining area, with multiple restaurants on the strip using the facilities.
More here

Tastes of Brooklyn food festival will return on August 1 with 25 restaurants and bars

Photo of Jolie Bistro in Gowanus by CityRealty

July 24, 2020

Tastes of Brooklyn food festival will return on August 1 with 25 restaurants and bars

By Dana Schulz

Now more than ever it's important to support our local restaurants, bars, and bakeries and a fun event happening on Saturday, August 1 makes it super easy to do just that. Tastes of Brooklyn returns for its annual food festival with 25 participating establishments in Gowanus, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, and Cobble Hill. Tickets get you a select number of small dishes at drinks at your choice of restaurants, and proceeds will benefit Seeds in the Middle, a nonprofit creating sustainable farm stands and school-run healthy programs in Brooklyn's food deserts.
See who's participating

July 22, 2020

300-unit affordable and supportive housing development coming to Flatbush, Brooklyn

By Dana Schulz

As part of his larger plan to invest $1.4 billion in Central Brooklyn communities, Governor Cuomo unveiled this week a 291-unit affordable housing development in Flatbush. Called the Clarkson Estates, the project will have half of its apartments set aside for "youth aging out of foster care, formerly incarcerated individuals, and formerly homeless young adults," according to a press release. Developer CAMBA Housing Ventures will offer an extensive network of supportive services within a 30,000-square-foot space that the building is calling its "HUB." Many of these facilities will also be open to the public.
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Affordable Housing

The secret history of Julius’, the oldest gay bar in NYC

Owner Helen Buford with longtime bartender Daniel Onzo

July 21, 2020

The secret history of Julius’, the oldest gay bar in NYC

By James and Karla Murray

On the corner of West 10th and Waverly Place sits Julius’ Bar, New York City’s oldest gay bar. Constructed in the middle of the 19th-century, the landmarked Greenwich Village building first opened as a grocery store and later became a bar. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously operating bars in the city, Julius’ is also known for its historic “Sip-In" on April 26, 1966, when members of the Mattachine Society--one of the country’s earliest LGBT rights organizations--protested the state law that prohibited bars from serving "suspected gay men or lesbians." Not only did the demonstration lead to the courts ruling in 1967 that gay people had the legal right to assemble and be served alcohol, but it also became one of the most significant instances of gay rights activism before the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Like many businesses forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic, especially now that indoor dining is on hold indefinitely, Julius' owner Helen Buford is struggling to pay the bills and launched a fundraising campaign this month to help save the bar. Ahead, go behind the scenes of Julius' while it remains closed, learn about its unique history from longtime bartenders Daniel Onzo and Tracy O’ Neill, and hear more from Helen about the struggle to survive as a small business during COVID-19.
Go behind the scenes

Where I Work

Outdoor dining in NYC will be extended through October

Open streets dining outside the Beatrice Inn; Photo (cropped) by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

July 17, 2020

Outdoor dining in NYC will be extended through October

By Dana Schulz

Since NYC entered phase 2 of reopening on June 22, more than 8,600 restaurants have begun participating in the Open Restaurants program, which allows restaurants to set up seating on sidewalks, curb cuts, in adjacent parking spots, and on certain designated open streets. Indoor dining in the city, however, has been postponed indefinitely. So to keep outdoor dining expanding and thriving, Mayor de Blasio announced today that he's extending the program through October 31.
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July 17, 2020

Sarah Jessica Parker asks Citi Bike to help save 100-year-old Greenwich Village restaurant

By Dana Schulz

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, longtime Greenwich Village resident Sarah Jessica Parker posted a heartfelt note to Citi Bike, hoping they can help save one of her favorite local restaurants. Gene's Restaurant has been located on West 11th Street near 6th Avenue for 101 years. But because of a Citi Bike rack right outside their front doors, the Italian restaurant has been unable to set up outdoor dining and is struggling from the pandemic fallout. "I'm happy to help move the @citibike rack just a bit east to make room for some outdoor seating. Whatever it takes," wrote SJP, who is a Citi Bike rider herself.
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See the design proposals that would make the Brooklyn Bridge a pedestrian oasis

“Back to the Future,” Bjarke Ingles Group and Arup

July 9, 2020

See the design proposals that would make the Brooklyn Bridge a pedestrian oasis

By Devin Gannon

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of public space, especially in a city like New York, where residents lack private backyards and most common spaces are too narrow for proper social distancing. A design contest launched earlier this year looking for ideas on how to improve the overcrowded pedestrian promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge, where thousands of walkers and cyclists fight for space daily. The Van Alen Institute and the New York City Council on Thursday announced the six finalists for the "Reimagining Brooklyn Bridge" design contest, with selected proposals calling for less space for cars and more for people.
See the designs

With baseball set to return next month, Yankees and Mets will train in New York

Photo of Citi Field by Tomas Eidsvold on Unsplash

June 24, 2020

With baseball set to return next month, Yankees and Mets will train in New York

By Devin Gannon

Baseball is back. After the coronavirus pandemic put the sport on hold for over three months, Major League Baseball on Tuesday announced a plan to return, with "spring" training to resume on July 1 and opening day games scheduled for July 23 and 24, with no fans. The training will take place at the home stadiums for teams, meaning the Yankees and Mets will return to the Bronx and Flushing starting this week.
Get the details

Uncategorized

Hoboken will allow gyms to use parks and fields for outdoor workout classes

A yoga class at Pier A from a previous Fitness in the Park class

May 28, 2020

Hoboken will allow gyms to use parks and fields for outdoor workout classes

By Dana Schulz

Hoboken, New Jersey Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla signed an executive order yesterday that permits fitness clubs to "utilize certain City fields and parks in order to facilitate safe, socially distanced outdoor workouts." Because of reopening measures outlined by Governor Murphy that will reduce capacity at indoor gyms and fitness facilities, Mayor Bhalla is encouraging owners of such businesses licensed in Hoboken to apply to host outdoor classes of up to 15 people with "strict social distancing guidelines of at least six feet between each participant at all times." With the permission of property owners, gyms can also hold outdoor classes in parking lots.
More details here

NYC Council will introduce bill that requires open street space be used for outdoor dining

Photo by almapapi on Pixabay

May 28, 2020

NYC Council will introduce bill that requires open street space be used for outdoor dining

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council is set to introduce legislation on Thursday that requires the city to use open space for outdoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants and bars have now been closed for in-person service for over two months because of the state's "pause" order that shuttered all nonessential businesses. And while takeout and delivery options remain available, the restaurant industry has taken a tremendous hit, with many longtime restaurants forced to close permanently.
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To-go booze in New York could be here to stay

Photo: Louise Ma / WNYC via Flickr Creative Commmons

May 22, 2020

To-go booze in New York could be here to stay

By Devin Gannon

When the state closed all restaurants and bars in March except for takeout service, the New York State Liquor Authority legalized to-go alcoholic beverages, including wine and liquor, for the first time. A state official wants to make the temporary law change permanent. State Sen. Brad Hoylman on Thursday introduced legislation that would let bars and restaurants continue to serve wine, beer, and cocktails for take-out and delivery for at least two years after the state of emergency ends.
Details this way

David Rockwell designs template for outdoor dining in NYC

Illustration by the Rockwell Group

May 21, 2020

David Rockwell designs template for outdoor dining in NYC

By Devin Gannon

The idea to turn New York City streets and sidewalks into space for al fresco dining when restaurants can eventually reopen has been supported by local officials, small businesses, and even architects. Designer David Rockwell and his firm the Rockwell Group have put together a template for ways to use outdoor space for restaurant use while maintaining safe and socially distant conditions.
See the design

NYC Council votes to temporarily cap restaurant delivery app fees

Photo by Patrick Connor Klopf on Unsplash

May 13, 2020

NYC Council votes to temporarily cap restaurant delivery app fees

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council on Wednesday passed legislation that temporarily caps the commission third-party delivery services are allowed to charge restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill sponsored by Council Member Francisco Moya restricts commission fees charged by apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats at 20 percent during any state of emergency and 90 days following. The legislation comes as the city's restaurants struggle to survive during COVID-19, with the state's "pause order" forcing businesses to rely on take-out and delivery orders.
More here

These maps and apps tell you which businesses are open in your NYC neighborhood

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

April 28, 2020

These maps and apps tell you which businesses are open in your NYC neighborhood

By 6sqft

We all want to support the small businesses in our New York neighborhoods during this difficult time. But sometimes it's hard to keep track of which stores and restaurants are currently open. A number of local websites and organizations have created easy-to-use search engines and interactive maps that provide information on open businesses.
Explore the maps

Photo by Lucia Gherra on Unsplash

April 21, 2020

NYC Council bill wants to block evictions for unpaid rent for a full year

By Dana Schulz

Amidst calls for a statewide rent strike, the New York City Council will introduce a COVID-19 relief package tomorrow that extends the eviction moratorium for those affected by the coronavirus crisis until April 2021. "We must #cancelrent, but in the meantime, the Council is working to give tenants peace of mind so New Yorkers won’t suffer irreparable harms," tweeted Council Speaker Corey Johnson this afternoon. The bill, which the Council will introduce tomorrow at their first-ever remote hearing, extends the amount of time both residential and commercial tenants have to repay rent and blocks debt collection.
More details here

Policy

New Yorkers share their ‘silver linings’ during these tough times

Photo by Rehan Syed on Unsplash

April 9, 2020

New Yorkers share their ‘silver linings’ during these tough times

By 6sqft

Times are tough in New York, but New Yorkers are even tougher. Though we're facing a lot of challenges right now, one way to get through it is to try to find a "silver lining." Here at 6sqft, we thought all of us in NYC could use some positivity, so we asked our fellow New Yorkers to share their personal silver linings. From 3D printing face masks to spending more time with family to stepping it up in the kitchen to witnessing communities coming together, here are some of the things that are providing some light in these dark times.
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Photo by Daniel Lee on Unsplash

April 7, 2020

Tenants would not be evicted for unpaid rent accrued during state of emergency, under proposed law

By Devin Gannon

Landlords would not be able to evict tenants for any unpaid rent that accumulated during New York's state of emergency and for six months afterward, under proposed legislation introduced by state lawmakers Tuesday. State Sens. Brad Hoylman and Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz announced the "NYS Tenant Safe Harbor Act" that would strengthen the current 90-day eviction freeze put in place by the state last month.
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Policy

NYC officials propose allowing renters to use security deposit for April rent

Photo by Rachel Martin on Unsplash

March 31, 2020

NYC officials propose allowing renters to use security deposit for April rent

By Devin Gannon

Under a plan introduced by local officials, New York City renters struggling to pay next month's rent would be allowed to use their existing security deposits as payment. As the Daily News first reported, the proposal would let tenants opt into the rent relief program to transfer their pre-paid deposits to rent. The deposit would have to be replaced within 30 days or converted into a monthly installment plan, under the proposal.
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Policy

Bodegas in NYC now have their own delivery app

Photo by Clément Falize on Unsplash

March 24, 2020

Bodegas in NYC now have their own delivery app

By Devin Gannon

Deemed as essential by the state, bodegas in New York City are open during the coronavirus outbreak. For those craving a bacon, egg, and cheese from your local deli, but can't leave your apartment, a new app is here to help. As first reported by Eater, My Bodega Online is looking to give New Yorkers another option when it comes to ordering take-out and groceries for delivery, while simultaneously supporting local businesses.
Get the details

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