Business

Black Friday 2020: Crowds of Shoppers Move to Mosques, COVID Testing Sites and Food Lines

By DAVID GREENE
The massive ‘Black Friday’ crowds at large stores and shopping malls, where customers often got on line the night before, were noticeably absent this year due to the pandemic, as millions of shoppers switched to online bargain hunting, a move that will potentially change the face of Black Friday forever.   On Friday, Nov. 27, the GameStop on White Plains Road, packed one year ago with customers shuffling in and out of the store, or to Modell’s Sporting Goods next door was a very different sight this year. Modell’s declared bankruptcy and closed its 153 stores on August 29, as


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City Issues Snow Alert for Wednesday, Dec. 16, Alternate Side Parking, Outdoor Dining to be Suspended

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Snow Alert for Wednesday, December 16, 2020 beginning at 2 p.m.   As reported by Norwood News, and based on current forecasts, the department expects snowfall beginning late Wednesday afternoon. Total accumulation of eight or more inches is possible, with potential for more in some areas. All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website at www.nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311.     While the department is expecting significant snowfall, representatives said its workers and equipment are prepared.


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City Issues ‘Winter Operations Advisory’ for Monday, Dec. 14, Precautions Required for Outdoor Dining

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Due to the chance of colder winter weather in the forecast, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Winter Operations Advisory for Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. The department said that its snow clearing equipment is ready to tackle any winter weather coming our way, and added that the advisory does not constitute a snow alert, since an alert would require that Open Restaurants cease roadway dining.   To better facilitate continued operations for Open Restaurant participants this year, DSNY said it will issue both “Snow Alerts” and “Winter Operations Advisories,” with the department planning to use


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Cuomo, De Blasio, NY Officials Unite in Urging Congressional Reps to Provide Fair Stimulus Funding to NY

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and New York labor leaders sent a letter to the New York congressional delegation on Wednesday, Dec. 9, outlining the critical need for state and local funding in any stimulus bill in order to prevent massive damage to the State of New York.   The letter was addressed to U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirstin Gillibrand and members of the New York congressional delegation. In it, officials talked about the desperate circumstances New York suffered at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis that continue today. 


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Lehman Alumna Recognized for Bringing More Than $23 Million in Grants/Loans to The Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Erica Rosero, a certified business advisor at the Bronx Business Development Center (SBDC) at Lehman College, was recognized recently for bringing more than $23 million in grants and loans to small businesses in the Bronx during the past year.   Rosero, a 2015 Business Administration and Computer Information Systems graduate of Lehman, was honored in November by the Small Business Administration for having the TOP IMPACT in the New York City region from October 2019 to September 2020.   During that period, the Lehman SBDC secured $29,580,823 in resource funding. Rosero was directly responsible for obtaining $22,886,240 of that amount, which


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Cuomo: Additional Restrictions for Indoor Dining if Hospitalization Rates Continue to Rise

Savor the Bronx Aims to Satisfy Taste Buds
By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned on Monday, Dec. 7, that additional restrictions will be applied to indoor dining if hospitalization rates don’t stabilize in the next five days. Currently, bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, must close in-person service from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, and in New York City, eateries are operating at 25 percent capacity. The governor warned that if the hospitalization rate does not stabilize in New York City in the next five days, indoor dining will be suspended.   In regions outside New York City, if the rate does


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Torres To Represent Freshmen Congressional Class at Weekly Leadership Meetings in D.C.

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  On Nov. 19, Congressman-elect, Ritchie Torres, was elected by his freshmen, House of Representatives colleagues to a new leadership role for the 117th Congress, as their representative in “the Crescendo”. In this position, Torres will represent newly-elected, Democratic members in weekly crescendo meetings with House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and House caucus chairs.   Torres, the first openly-LGBTQ, Afro-Latino member of Congress, will be the first freshman in this position, and as such, will have the opportunity to discuss the freshman class’s high-priority items directly with the speaker on a weekly basis. The crescendo meetings include one representative


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COVID Watcher Survey To Track Affect of Pandemic on Small Businesses, Deadline Dec. 7

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC) has partnered with Columbia University to collect data, through a survey, to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses in New York City, as well as identifying what can be done to help the business community in both the short and long-term to survive the crisis.   The COVID Watcher Small Business Survey is a research, advocacy and policy tool. Its purpose is to identify and understand the challenges facing small business owners as a result of COVID-19, and learn about what they are already doing to ensure their economic viability, and the health and


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Cohen Reiterates Message to Prepare for Further Restrictions in December, Lists Available Help

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Councilman Andy Cohen has reiterated recent messages by the mayor and the governor that tighter restrictions may be imposed in December to curb the spread of the coronavirus.   “This is a difficult and challenging time for our educators, students, and families as the City is dealing with the unfortunate reality of having to close our public school’s to in-person learning once again,” Cohen said via a newsletter on Friday, Nov. 20. “As families transition into full-time remote learning, please know there are resources available. Please reach out to my office if you need help accessing meals, learning devices, or connecting


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