IS CANNABIZ FOR YOU?
Are you a budding cannabis entrepreneur or know someone who is? New York State began accepting applications for the state’s first retail cannabis dispensaries on August 25. New Yorkers who were impacted by criminalization will be chosen first so they can benefit from this opportunity.
Interested? Use the recently launched
Cannabis NYC resource at the NYC Department of Small Business Services to help answer questions about
CAURD application requirements, connect aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs to no-cost services, along with technical assistance to support successful businesses, and more.
To learn more,
visit the site or call the hotline at 888.SBS.4NYC (888.727.4692). Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce also has informational
webinar sessions lined up throughout September; check
here to RSVP.
FREE SMALL BIZ CONSULTING FROM HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI
The Small Business Partnership Initiative supports small businesses through pro bono, virtual, consulting services, in one-on-one coaching sessions, as well as a free collection of online resources, curated to address the concerns and needs of small business owners as they deal with issues of stability and growth.
The SBPI, presented by the Harvard Business School Club of New York, provides advice and assistance from alumni of Harvard Business School at no cost.
Please
click here to apply for SBPI coaching now or, for more information, reach out to Randal Stephenson at Randal.stephenson@gcla.com.
NYC BUSINESS QUICK START
NYC Business Quick Start is an interagency effort led by the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to cut red tape and position NYC as the most business-friendly large city in which to open or reopen a business.
Through partnering with SBS’s Small Business Advocates, you can understand key City rules and requirements to avoid fines and violations; connect to government agencies to get the permits and licenses you need for your business, and learn how to resolve any violations your business has received. You can also book no-cost Compliance Consultations: a team member will come to your business or meet with you virtually and provide a customized checklist and inspection information from a variety of agencies.
Get the assistance you need now;
see more info here.
BAND TOGETHER, FAB BUSINESSES
There has been a rash of incidents in our district lately, ranging from burglary and break-ins to robbery and vandalism. Some of our busy bars and restaurants have been targeted by both panhandlers and those possibly looking to commit fraud with credit cards and other payment devices. A popular 24-hour market was robbed overnight, and a Fort Greene mainstay had its window smashed in a burglary; fortunately, no one was hurt in either of those incidents. One of the higher profile happenings was the graffiti vandalization of the Biggie mural outside a longtime business in Clinton Hill.
We’re seeking solutions and will continue to reach out to and participate in task force work with our government partners in the NYPD and local elected offices. We also urge you to be vigilant and active: check in with your business neighbors to share info about suspicious activity or disruptive patrons. Use a text group or Instagram direct message group chat to communicate in real-time to alert one another to situations in progress. In non-emergency situations, reach out to your 88th precinct Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) via text or call; they can often drive by or send another car to help diffuse situations. If you have them, make sure your cameras are in working order and poised to capture activity in key areas of your location (and check your lighting, too). When closing, leave registers empty and OPEN to minimize damage; and lock up. Train your staff to recognize suspicious behaviors to limit credit card fraud; change your policies if necessary. It will take all of us to combat the difficulties we are now facing daily, just to stay in business. Please continue to share your concerns and experiences with us at FAB so we can document and share them with law enforcement and lawmakers.
CH TOUR WITH CH!
Councilmember Crystal Hudson is set to return to our district this month, for a walk on the Clinton Hill side! The District 35 leader and her staff plan to stop by several businesses on Tue., Sep. 20. We’ll be reaching out soon to see who will be available to chat with Councilmember Hudson for a few minutes during her visit.
ART 360º / CLINTON HILL IS SAT., SEP. 10
As you know, Brooklyn is full of street art, art institutions, and artistic people. On Sat., Sep. 10, we’ll round up a few of each to celebrate the art and creativity around us!
A handful of your Clinton Hill business neighbors will participate in the event by having their storefronts re-imagined by local artists, and in nearby Jitu Weusi Plaza (Fulton + Grand), cultural organizations will gather to offer hands-on art activities that everyone can enjoy!
The
ART360 guide map has been dropped off at several FAB Fulton businesses in Clinton Hill, for you to share with your staff and customers; we’ll be around very soon to replenish quantities before the big day!
If you plan to add to the energy of the day with a special event like a big sale, a wine tasting, a sampling, or a limited discount or giveaway, let us know so we can promote it along with the day’s agenda!
ART360º / CLINTON HILL runs from 12-5 pm and is FREE.
COME MIX IT UP…
Save the date of Wed., Sep. 28 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm for a long overdue Merchant Mixer! In true happy hour fashion, you’ll mix and mingle and catch up with each other over delicious appetizers and light fare in a fantastic outdoor setting! Also on the agenda is the introduction of the new FAB Executive Director, Angie Brown. Watch your inbox for your invitation with location details, coming soon.
ABOUT FAB FULTON
The Fulton Area Business Alliance (FAB FULTON) is a non-profit organization that advocates for and collaborates with small businesses and property owners along Fulton Street in Brooklyn’s neighborhoods of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill to maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming community while securing resources and partnerships for initiatives that enhance and promote the district.
This post contains links to the articles and information referenced in our latest FAB BIZ BLAST email communication. You can subscribe to future newsletters; sign up here for the FAB FULTON BIZ BLAST to get the latest information and resources for FAB FULTON Businesses!
