What's Happening This Week in
Downtown Jamaica
Parsons Playdate Rescheduled

We had to reschedule last Friday's event because of weather, but please join our Jamaica Center BID team along with King Manor Museum , Down to Earth Markets Farmers Market and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation for some creative fun in the sun next Friday, September 6.

Activities going on will be:

  • Paper Marbling Workshop brought to you by King Manor Museum: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

  • Life Sized Games brought to you by the Jamaica Center BID:11 a.m. - 2 p.m

  • Weekly Down to Earth Farmers Market hosted by GJDC: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jamaica Center BID Made a Purchase for a Good Cause!

Whenever our Director of Marketing and Business Services Trey Jenkins heads out west, he has to go to an In-N-Out . After the viral story of an untouched In-N-Out Burger being found on the street near the LIRR station, we had to purchase this customized In-N-Out Burger Jamaica,Queens t-shirt with proceeds helping support the Food Bank for New York City !
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning Presents: Anthonia Akinbola's Culture of Migration

Anthonia Akinbola's art exhibition, Culture of Migration opens this Friday, August 30 at 6 p.m. Funded through a grant by the Queens Council on the Arts , the exhibition showcases not only the grant mural, but also a variety of other art pieces including wearable art. Come and experience a fusion of traditional African art techniques and contemporary fiber arts, as represented through this art medium. The art exhibit will be on view from Friday, August 30 - Saturday, September 7

Free Dog Training Classes

Learn basic dog training and how to address different behavior issues. Certificates will be given out to those who come to all four classes.

  • Saturday, August 31
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) School of the Arts Fall Semester 2019

Saturdays at Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) are days for exploring one’s creative side. JCAL’s School of the Arts offers weekly hour-long classes on everything from ceramics to Hip Hop dance to comic book creation to acting, singing, and so much more. Kids, teens, adults, and seniors all have options to hone their skills and have fun with dance, music, theater, digital arts, and visual arts.

The fall semester will run from Sept 14 through December 7.  
Constitution & Cocktails

Raise a glass to celebrate the signing of the Constitution at the only founding farther house in NYC! This year King Manor will be honoring Congressman Gregory Meeks the Queens County Democratic Party Chair and Andrea Ogle, Esq. VP of the Assigned Counsel Association of Queens Family Court.

Raymour & Flanigan Finger, Paint & Sip

Raymour & Flanigan is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens for a kid's finger paint and sip event! Join them to paint a lovely work of art and enjoy snacks and refreshments! Proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club.

Sidewalk Sales Days
Sidewalk Sales Days: Friday, August 30 - Monday, September 2
Sidewalk Sales Days return tomorrow through Labor Day!
District Deals
Jamaica Center BID Value Card

Sign up for our Value Card and we'll send you a digital version of the card to use in participating stores on Jamaica Avenue.

Below are the stores that are accepting the Value Card with 10% discounts! Check them out when you're out and about.



Jamaica Center BID businesses: Have a district deal you want to share with over 3,000 people? Send it to us, and we'll post it in our newsletter! Email us below!
Raymour & Flanigan

  • Labor Day Sale - Save on Everything! Daily Sales - The Look For Less
 
H&M

  • Kids' shoes from $12.99. For walking into day 1 to running around during recess, we've got tons of fun flats, the coolest sneakers and easy-peasy slip-ons for school, weekends and special occasions too! Plus, get points on every purchase when you join our loyalty program. Shop now! #HM 
Downtown Jamaica Business Resources
Jamaica Center BID Banner Program

Calling all businesses! Participate in our banner program and promote your brand throughout Downtown Jamaica through a sponsorship banner! This fall new banners will be raised throughout Jamaica Avenue. Contact the BID to learn more.
Online Business Courses

Applications are now open for the City's first online business course series, designed to help entrepreneurs at all stages and from all industries grow successful businesses.

Topics include:

  • Building your own business

  • Operating & financing your business

  • Mastering marketing & sales

  • Managing & leading people

  • Achieving your growth potential
Online Business Courses

Workforce1 can save businesses time and money by helping business owners hire the right employees. Staff will coordinate with business owners to make strong matches for both candidates and employers at no cost.

Services include:

  • Advertising open positions

  • Recruiting and screening candidates - referring the most qualified to businesses

  • Scheduling and hosting interviews
Calling all small media and entertainment businesses

Apply today to Accelerator for Media Pros NYC (AMP NYC) to help your business grow! 

AMP NYC is a three-month accelerator for media and entertainment businesses looking to increase business, elevate their brands, expand audience reach, and respond to rapidly changing shifts in the market.  Deadline to apply is September 2!
Greater Jamaica Development Corporation Survey

The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is conducting a survey to help uncover the opportunities as well as challenges and barriers faced by black-owned businesses in New York City and attempt to identify solutions. Those interested in participating in the survey before August 26th may visit GJDC's site below!
Restaurant Loan Program

Jamaica Center BID's recent Commercial District Needs Assessment identified that local residents and workers want more restaurants in the neighborhood. Now is an opportune time to open a restaurant: Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is looking to help restaurant entrepreneurs open restaurants in Downtown Jamaica with a loan program offering up to $150,000! Learn more and apply below.
Downtown Jamaica Leasing Opportunities
Jamaica Avenue Retail Opportunity

Located at the northeast corner of Merrick Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue.


  • Heart of Downtown Jamaica shopping

  • Heavy foot traffic

  • Steps away from five bus lines and three subway lines. Accessible via LIRR and Airtrain
Jamaica Avenue Prime Commercial Office Space for Lease

Prime commercial office space for lease on Jamaica Avenue!


  • Turn key space located on Jamaica Avenue

  • Heavy foot traffic in the heart of Downtown Jamaica

  • Steps away from five bus lines and three subway lines. Accessible via LIRR and Airtrain
Community Assistance & Resources
Summer Meals at Queens Public Library

Queens Public Library is honored to partner with the NYC Department of Education to provide an essential summer service — FREE lunches for kids and teens all summer long.

  • Queens Public Library will provide summer meals through Friday, August 30
 
  • Summer meals are OPEN to all children, 18 and younger

  • Enrollment is not required and there is no cost

  • Meals will be provided Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at specific locations.
Prenatal Classes - Getting Ready For Your New Baby

Come learn about important topics like
bonding with your baby, how to take care
of yourself while you are pregnant, baby’s
development, delivery and much more.

2-trip metrocards, food and baby supplies
will be given at the end of each session.
Parents are welcome to bring their children Admissions is FREE!

  • September 4
School Supply Drop Off

Stop by our Councilmember I. Daneek Miller's Office until August 31 to drop off some school supplies and help assist students preparing for the upcoming school year. Pens, pencils, book bags, notebooks, and other items would be greatly appreciated!

You can also drop off school supplies at our Parsons Playdate this Friday and we will deliver them to Councilmember Miller's office for you!

Better Buses: What's Happening Here?

Starting this month, NYC DOT has begun to implement a protected bus lane on Archer Ave. from 153rd
St. to 160th St. and will include the following:

  • Install a protected bus lane by adding physical protection using Tuff Curb with flex posts and rubber speed bumps along existing bus lanes to improve their effectiveness by preventing intrusions by non-bus vehicles

  • Update parking regulations from No Standing to No Stopping
Labor Day

The New York City Department of Sanitation announced that in observance of Labor Day, there will be no garbage, recycling, or organics collection, nor street cleaning on Monday, September 2, 2019 .
  
  • Residents who normally receive Monday trash or organics collection should place their material out at curbside after 4 p.m. on Monday, September 2 for pickup
  
  • Residents who normally receive Monday recycling collection should place their material out at curbside after 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 8 for pickup on Monday, September 9.
About Business and Event Promotions in this Newsletter : Businesses and organizations located in the Jamaica Avenue Commercial District between Sutphin Blvd and 169th Street are invited to submit promotional information for possible inclusion in our newsletter. Events happening near or immediately adjacent to the Jamaica Avenue Commercial District may also be considered for inclusion on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to reject or edit materials for length, style, timeliness, and appropriateness. This newsletter serves to inform our community about events, opportunities and commercial activity in Downtown Jamaica, within specifically the Jamaica Center BID boundaries.