What's Happening This Week in
Downtown Jamaica
The Jamaica Center BID Helps: Hurricane Dorian Assistance

With Hurricane Dorian heading towards the southeast United States, many first responders, emergency management personnel and volunteers are being summoned to help. We are proud to report that our BID’s very own Fred Green (Operations Manager) is a skilled Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reservist, ready and wiling to assist in a national emergency. In advance of the storm, Fred was recently deployed to help with relief efforts should the hurricane strike ground in the Southeast. We will miss having Fred in the office for the next few weeks, but applaud his service and will appreciate his emergency management and community relations skills that he continues to hone while undertaking this engagement. 
Fred’s deployment is also an opportunity for our team to remind everyone that this month is National Preparedness Month, a month dedicated to reminding communities, businesses, and individuals to take action now and throughout the year to prepare for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we run businesses, live, work and learn. NYC’s Office of Emergency Management has a wealth of resources to help you prepare , so that you can address a crisis with greater ease. Please take a moment to explore and put a few of their recommendations into action.
Parsons Playdate Tomorrow!

Weather permitting, 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 tomorrow at Parsons Public Space!

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.

Artworks, Inc.

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is pleased to present the inaugural exhibition culminating the first year of the ARTWorks, Inc., a professional development program of an artist residency & training seminar series. The exhibition celebrates the work of ten participating artists in the program, including Jessica Alazraki, Christy Bencosme, Tara Homasi, Che Min Hsiao, Jason Lalor, Zatara McIntyre, Dister Rondon, Jennifer Sanchez, Devyn Wray, and Phyllis Yao from September 12 to October 5.

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.

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 (Extended!) - Save on Everything! Daily Sales - The Look For Less
 
H&M

  • H&M is taking street style a step further with edgy-cool jackets, torn-up denim, bucket hats and more. This fall, make a play for elevated casual looks that are down for whatever. Plus, get points on every purchase when you join H&M's 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.
How to Open a Food Business in New York City

New York City has over 359,000 women entrepreneurs! Did you know 50 women have already successfully crowdfunded for their food business through WE Fund Crowd, raising over $400,000! 

Join NYC Small Business Services ' WE NYC and Jamaica's own Dawn Kelly of The Nourish Spot for How to Open a Food Business in NYC, part of tWe NYC's Storefront Series.


Black Entrepreneurship Kickoff Event

As a black entrepreneur, what do you need to start or grow your business in NYC? The City wants to hear from you! Join Deputy Mayor Thompson, Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop, and other leaders on September 10th at the Apollo to share your voice and kick off a new initiative to help more black-owned businesses to start and grow in NYC.

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
That Suits You! Professional Style Workshop Series With PK Kersey

Author and entrepreneur PK Kersey is partnering with the Central Library Job & Business Academy (JBA) to offer style workshops and lessons on image. Come and learn about custom fittings, professional style tips, and other topics related to suit care, image etiquette, and proper attire that allows you to put your best foot forward during interviews and within the workplace. All attendees get a free necktie from the Job & Business Academy’s TIEbrary. 

  • 9/18: How Persistent Effort Increases Your Chances for Success

  • 10/2: Custom Fittings, Suit Care, and Learn How to Tie a Tie

  • 10/10: Professional Style Tips, Image Etiquette, TIE-challenge

  • 10/30: What Does Success Man to You and How Are You Planning for It?
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.