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First Quarter 2020

April 01, 2020

Welcome to the Village Alliance’s first quarterly retail report of 2020. Things have certainly not been business as usual in the month of March as COVID-19 has spread across the New York tri-state area, the country and the world. While we had more businesses open in the district from January to mid-March than usual, things ground to a near halt with the Governor’s order to put the state on pause.

Roughly 25% of the Village Alliance’s businesses are open in some capacity – whether they be pharmacies; banks; clinics; or delivery-only food establishments, and others, like fitness and retail establishments, continue to maintain an online presence. Click here for our full listing of Village Alliance merchant operations and a map of open establishments.

So how can neighbors support our local businesses?

Order delivery or  take-out. Rather than ordering from delivery platforms, first  check  individual restaurants’  websites  to see  if they  offer  their own delivery service to ensure they get maximum profit from your support and avoid third-party fees.  Some third-party apps charge 30% of the total order.
Many of our local fitness establishments are offering online classes.  Stay active in your own home and keep them in business.
Shop online at your local store's website and order something you love!

Small Business Assistance During COVID-19

For this issue of the quarterly report, we are highlighting government programs that can help struggling small businesses in our area. Please help us spread the world of these programs to your clients.

Mayor de Blasio has announced an assistance program for small businesses by providing financial relief to those who are affected by COVID-19. Two relief programs are on the way:

Zero-Interest Loans: Businesses with fewer than 100 employees may be eligible for an interest-free loan of up to $75,000 if they document a 25% loss in customer receipts because of coronavirus-related happenings.

Employee Retention Grants:  Businesses with fewer than five employees may be eligible for grants that are set to cover up to 40% of payroll costs for the months related to revenue decline. The de Blasio administration anticipates an average of $6,000 per business for this grant

If you think that you may be eligible for financial assistance, call 311, view the Eligibility Criteria and/or click here to complete an interest form to be notified when applications are open.

NYC Small Business Services also offers resources, health materials, up-to-date information, business planning guidelines for addressing changes in customer behavior due to the novel coronavirus.  Find more information here. 

Other useful programs:

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. See if you qualify here.
The Shared Work Program allows you to manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments. Shared Work lets you keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible. Find more here.
Unemployment Insurance for persons who are out of work due to coronavrius, quarantine, and any associated policies. NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for these insurance benefits. Click here to see if you are eligible.

Retail Availability

Explore Available Retail Spaces in the BID

Featured Business Opening: Pane Pasta

58 West 8th Street

Currently open for take-out only, the food of Sicily can be transported to your living room. Pane Pasta, which opened in March, brings the best of Sicily’s epicurean delicacies to the Village. This shop may be small, but it’s take-away options are plentiful. Scrumptious paninis, delectable rosticerria, freshly made pasta and delicious desserts are just a few the offerings. Start your eating here today! Go to their website to review their offerings. Call 646-891-0006 to confirm latest operating hours.

January to March District-Wide Retail Openings and How to Support these Businesses During COVID-19

AREA
1 Fifth Avenue

AREA is a New York-based company that produces bedding and home accessories. Founded by Swedish designer Anki Spets in 1990, the products are original designs that use natural fibers, and provide long-lasting beauty and comfort. Visit the store's website, while the brick and mortar is closed.

BROADWAY APOTHECARY
779 Broadway

Broadway Apothecary takes the pharmacy experience to the 21st century. Broadway Apothecary uses text messaging to communicate with customers. You can register as a new patient; request refills and chat with a pharmacist all without making a phone call. The pharmacy also offers free delivery. Call 212-561-6681 for hours or visit the website .

CORE POWER YOGA
56 West 8th Street

CorePower Yoga opened its Greenwich Village fitness studio on 8th Street this winter. Founded in Denver, Colorado, in 2002, CPY now has over 200 studios nationwide and is expanding quickly. While the studio is currently closed, check out their free classes on-line.

THE BEAN
771 Broadway

The Bean is a Village born store that remains a staple of the East Village coffee scene. Taking over a former Starbucks site, the Bean offers a host of signature coffee drinks. While the store is temporarily closed, the beans can be purchased on-line.

Uni K Wax Center
375 6th Avenue

The latest outpost of an extensive chain of waxing studios in New York, New Jersey and Florida. The proprietary blend of all natural wax soothes even the most sensitive skin. During the COVID-19 closure products can be purchased on- line.