August 2024

It’s definitely Summer in the City! We’re thrilled to see our streets packed with summer tourists and our restaurants and bars ready to serve.

This month marks a period of transition from emergency outdoor dining to the permanent Dining Out NYC program, and we see more and more business operators making strategic decisions about participation. If you decided not to apply before DOT’s August 3 deadline, make sure you remove your existing outdoor setup to avoid costly fines. The program’s online application portal will remain open 24/7 after that date, ready when you are to jump in outside!

It’s great to see that hundreds more restaurants have applied in the months since the Dining Out NYC application opened than participated in the pre-pandemic sidewalk cafe program, with way more than ever in the outer boroughs.

As always, we wish everyone a smooth, profitable month ahead. Reach out to us anytime with questions or concerns. Or just to let us know you’re reading our monthly updates!

Steven Picker & Rosanne Martino

The NYC Food and Beverage Industry Partnership Team at SBS

Stay Up To Date

Didn’t apply by August 3? Remove your outdoor dining structure!

After months of citywide outreach to business owners by DOT, SBS, and other industry stakeholders, transition to the permanent Dining Out NYC program is hitting our roadways and sidewalks.

Starting Monday, August 5, the Department of Transportation will begin citywide enforcement to ensure that restaurants that did not apply to the permanent Dining Out NYC program by August 3 have self-removed their existing outdoor dining structure(s).

All food service establishments that have not applied to the new program and have not self-removed their setup(s) will receive a summons.

First summons issued = $500

Each subsequent summons issued = $1,000

Applications are open year-round for restaurants that would like to participate for the first time or restaurants that chose to remove their setup, but would like to participate in the future.

The Mayor's Office of Asylum Seeker Operations wants to understand the level of F&B business engagement with immigrants who arrived in the U.S. within the last 2 years.

Is your restaurant in Queens Congressional District 6 and are you interested in receiving a free outdoor dining setup?

The Adams administration announced new federal funding to provide approximately 60 Queens restaurants in Congressional District 6 with new code-compliant, free outdoor dining setups.

The funding, secured by Congresswoman Grace Meng, comes from a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) grant received by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS).

Look up your business location here to confirm you’re in the district. If yes, and you plan to participate in Dining Out NYC, please submit this interest form (available in multiple languages) to be considered to receive a free setup.

New Federal Reporting Requirement

The Corporate Transparency Act, enacted to curb illicit finance, requires many companies doing business in the United States to report information about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. Filing is free of charge.

Existing companies created before January 1, 2024 must file by January 1, 2025.

Companies created or registered after January 1, 2024 have 90 calendar days to file after receiving notice that their company’s creation is effective

Hurricane Preparedness Webinar

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is here to help you guide through the start of a business continuity plan to be ready for Atlantic Hurricane Season. Learn how to:

• Stay in business: Identify your key business functions, employees, and documents
• Protect your investments: Understand how to protect your assets and navigate insurance processes
• Be ready for action: Create a business continuity plan for your business

Inspire the Next Generation of Restaurant Cooks

We invite working NYC restaurant chefs and line cooks to participate in the First Course NYC Guest Speaker Series! This culinary training program is delivered four times a year at Hot Bread Kitchen in Chelsea Market.

The Guest Speaker Series is an opportunity for you to share your career journey with aspiring restaurant cooks. These 1-hour sessions can be scheduled between 2-4 PM Mondays through Fridays. If interested, please submit this short form and a program team member will contact you. 

New Lactation-at-Work Requirements – Since 2018, NYC employers have been required to provide employees with a private space (other than a bathroom) and reasonable time to pump/express breast milk. As of June 19, 2024, NYS also requires that workers be informed in writing of their right to express breast milk in the workplace:

• When they are hired
• Annually 
• When an employee returns from work after the birth of a child

The New York State Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households the option to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants with their SNAP benefits using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. 

Learn about safe and effective methods for rat prevention in your business with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s free online trainings.

Resources

NYC Restaurant Resource Guide – The F&B Industry Partnership team at SBS provides the latest news, guidance, and resources for NYC restaurant owners and operators at this central online resource.

The guide is a “one-stop-shop" for industry professionals seeking the important information they need to operate in a smart, compliant way. 

The SBS hotline answers small business owners' most pressing questions and connects you to the NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST) to help you get licenses & permits faster, avoid or reduce fines, and prepare you for inspections. Reach the hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692). Services are available in multiple languages.

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