Welcome Back Shoppers!

What's Happening This Week in

Downtown Jamaica

Welcome Back Shoppers!

With Stage II underway, many of our retail locations and salons/barbershops have reopened, along with the restaurants and essential businesses that were open throughout the entire Coronavirus outbreak. Plantain Werkes (147-21 Jamaica Avenue), Make Me Over Beauty Bar (166-11 Jamaica Avenue), Jackie’s Kids (147-09 Jamaica Avenue), Pretty Women (165-09 Jamaica Avenue), CH Martin (148-22 Jamaica Avenue, Jackpot Savings (148-17 Jamaica Avenue) and many of the food vendors at Jamaica Market...these are just a few of our beloved establishments that are back in biz and ready for you. We’ve been popping into many of these businesses the past few days to check in, and are here to report that the Jamaica Avenue business community is taking your safety seriously with limited occupancy, six-foot spacing reminders, masked employees, special certifications, and more.

Now we ask you—the customers—to do your part! Wear a mask when you shop , follow the rules the store or business establishment has thoughtfully put together to protect you and their employees, socially distance from your fellow customers and the staff helping you, and SHOP Jamaica Avenue. Now is not the time to order online from retailers across the country. Keep your dollars in your community—these businesses need your business to make a successful recovery. Need some motivation to adopt a “buy local” mindset.? Tag @jamcenterbid on Instagram with your posts featuring your shopping excursion on Jamaica Avenue and we’ll send you a Jamaica Avenue BID tote!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

This Tuesday, our Executive Director Jennifer Furioli and BID Operations Manager Fred Green teamed up with the Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Lorelei Salas and several members of her team. Together, we canvassed nearly 80 businesses on the Avenue to hand out Stage II reopening materials, educate and answer any questions businesses had about their reopening procedures, and to hand out free masks and face shields for employees.

If you’re a local business, please remember to visit NYC’s Department of Small Business Service’s Reopening Page to get all of the necessary information to open your business safely. And don’t forget, SBS now also has a Reopening Hotline. Call and get all of your questions answered for free: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) .

You can also visit nycsmallbizcourses.eventbrite.com and search "Reopening Guidelines" to sign up for an upcoming webinar to learn about State requirements, recommendations, and resources available to help businesses reopen in NYC. If you need facemasks or visor face shields for your employees, we are one of SE Queens appointed distribution partners (businesses only, please). Please email fgreen@jamaicacenter.org to inquire about availability and to arrange a pick-up.

Speaking of PPE, we would also like to thank our friends at the Queens Chamber of Commerce (pictured with Jennifer Furioli is Tom Gretch, CEO of the Chamber) for helping connect us with these critical safety supplies.

Black Lives Matter Street Mural To Be Painted Downtown

In case you missed the news, the City has selected a street in downtown Jamaica for the Queens location of a Black Lives Matter Street Mural. The mural will be painted on 153rd Street between Jamaica and Archer Avenues the street tucked between Jamaica Performing Arts Center and the Queens Family Court, and across the street from King Manor Museum , the original home of founding father and anti-slavery activist Rufus King. More details here .

Business News

Reopening Guidance for Businesses:

Businesses! Bookmark these pages:

NYC’s Department of Small Business Services “SBS” comprehensive Reopening Guide, and
State of New York’s NY Forward page, the “official” page for business reopening guidance.

You should review *both* of these webpages thoroughly to ensure you are in compliance. Have questions? Call SBS’s new Reopening Hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) or attend one of their many upcoming webinars walking through the reopening process. Our BID has also compiled additional reopening guides by different trade groups and advocacy organizations (such as International Council of Shopping Centers, National Retail Foundation, Streetsense, and more) on our own BID Covid-19 Resource page .

Small Business Townhall

Finally, at 6 pm tonight our local elected officials, Council Member I. Daneek Miller , State Senator Leroy Comrie and new NYC Small Business Services Commissioner Jonnel Doris will host a Reopening Town Hall for Businesses. To register visit tinyurl.com/48xz82gc. And businesses, don’t forget to let us know when you’ve opened your doors—our BID will gladly help you promote your reopening in our social media to spread the word!

Restaurant Reopenings

Restaurants, good news. The City of New York recently released its Restaurant Reopening Guide which is chock full of useful information. This online guide contains all restaurant guidelines and rules for opening in NYC, including the application for any restaurants that wish to participate in outdoor dining through the DOT’s Open Restaurant Program . This webinar explains the City’s Open Restaurant plan in more detail. Other resources you might find helpful: NYC Hospitality Alliance operates a restaurant-specific COVID-19 page with regular updates and Streetsense, in partnership with Queens Economic Development Corporation recently issued the Restaurant Relaunch Toolkit .

Also don't forget to register for the Open Restaurants Virtual Town Call happening this Friday from 2 - 3:30 p.m. at bit.ly/reopeningtowncall.

Federal Funding Reminders

The PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) application deadline will close on June 30. If you’re planning on applying, do so quickly. Meanwhile, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (which comes with a $10,000 emergency advance (grant) has reopened for small businesses. Small business owners are able to apply for up to $150,000 in long term financing and an EIDL advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. Recipients do not have to be approved for a loan in order to receive the advance, but the amount of the loan advance will be deducted from total loan eligibility. More information about both funding vehicles here.

General Community News

Workforce1 helps New Yorkers prepare for, and connect to, jobs across New York City's five boroughs and in every sector of the economy. The Virtual Workforce1 Career Center system connects New Yorkers, via web or phone, to one-on-one help from professionals who can help. To get employment assistance please visit here . We’ve heard that Citibike has many seasonal employment opportunities available. They are hiring for bike mechanics , battery swappers , valets and assembly technicians .

Financial Counseling

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection's NYC Financial Empowerment Centers now provide free one-on-one professional, financial counseling over the phone. Counselors can help you create a budget, manage bills, save for essentials, deal with student loans, and more. For more information or to make an appointment online please visit here .

Please Respond to the Census

New York's Census response rate is at 56.7% , well below the national average. It is vital for our future that every New Yorker takes a few minutes to complete the Census form. It's safe, easy and can be done online from the comfort of your own home. Let's make sure every New Yorker is counted. Complete the Census today at my2020census.gov .

For More Coronavirus Information from the City of New York

If you would like to receive regular text alerts from City government regarding the novel Coronavirus, you can sign up by texting COVID to 692-692 .

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.