FAB Biz Blast – Jul 2022

SBS SENDS BIZ SUPPORT WITH “MOBIE” 
Last month, the NYC Small Business Services (SBS) Mobile Unit (“Mobie”) parked in the FAB FULTON district to share free resources with area small business owners, property owners, landlords, and anyone who asked! Mobie got a great spot near a busy intersection in Clinton Hill, and the friendly SBS staff interacted with several people during their 3-hour visit.

If you weren’t able to come out in person and have questions for SBS staff, no worries — there’s a “Quick Start” program to guide you to the assistance you need, from how to better understand city rules and regulations, how to avoid fines and violations, and more. Call 888-727-4692 or go to nyc.gov/business. A response is guaranteed within 48 hours, and business owners will be assigned a sole point of contact to help you.

 

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? LET SBS KNOW!
The NYC Department of Small Business Services Regulatory Reform Program would like to understand the experience and interactions of the city’s storefront small business owners with city agencies. Share information about your recent inspections by completing this survey. The new administration has committed to supporting small businesses with a number of initiatives through the Small Business Forward plan, designed to ensure local businesses face fewer needless fines and penalties without jeopardizing public health or safety. Reforming existing business regulations is just the first step; complete the survey today to give your input!


DOB “HAPPY HOUR”
Good news for small business owners: the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) is now available to help you cut through red tape with Buildings After Hours!

Every Tuesday, from 4-7 pm, drop by your borough office to meet with DOB staff to get advice on construction projects, address an open violation on a property, or get the status of an application you filed.

The Brooklyn borough office is located at 210 Joralemon St. in downtown Brooklyn. Learn more here.

 

SWEEPING CHANGES TO NYC SANITATION COMING SOON
Affirming that all New Yorkers have a right to a clean street, Mayor Adams, along with DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch recently announced a historic city budget investment in the DSNY which includes significant new funding for cleanliness initiatives:

  • $22 Million for increased litter basket service, with baskets to be emptied 50,000 more times a week citywide.
  • $7.5 Million for Precision Cleaning Initiatives to address illegal dumping, and increased enforcement of fines.
  • $4.5 Million to clean vacant lots and prevent them from becoming dumpsites.
These initiatives, coupled with the return of full alternate side parking, a plan to sweep protected bike lanes at least once a week, and a new waste container pilot underway in test areas of each borough, all support the Mayor’s commitment to cleaning up NYC streets. 
 
Let’s do our part! Refrain from using public waste baskets for trash, report illegal dumping and persistent littering to 311, and move your vehicles in accordance with posted alternate side parking regulations in your area. In the FAB FULTON corridor, our Maintenance Team provides additional cleaning service seven days a week to keep Fulton Street beautiful. Together we can keep our district looking FAB!

 

RATS!
The weather is warm and rats are dining al fresco everywhere throughout the City! We must continue to do our part to keep them at bay; learn more about rat management through the Department of Health’s ongoing “Rat Academy” program. There are a few dates coming up this month. And, if enough businesses express interest, we can host a Rat Academy specifically tailored to the needs of our business corridor; reach out and let us know!

 

LOTS OF “NEW” POPPING UP ON FAB FULTON!
It’s finally summer, and we invite you to get out and meet your new neighbors!

Recently opened new businesses in the FAB business district include Dr. Exotic Smoke Shop, Sweetbee Cafe and Bar, and Oma Grassa. The neighborhood could hardly wait for the return of Habana Outpost last month, and another old favorite, Chance 11, has transformed into Vessel Bar & Grill and is due to open soon. We’re excited to finally see construction stirring at the former Broccoli Bar space, which is slated to be the first New York door for the famous Slutty Vegan franchise. Honey Nail Salon is set to open at 810 Fulton. The old Academy Diner space on Lafayette Avenue will become Margot in the weeks to come, and in another development (liquor license), Mexican go-to Ojala now serves beer, wine, and cocktails with their delicious fare! We also want to give a shoutout to longtime FAB favorite BUKA Nigerian, who has relocated. Although the new restaurant is no longer within the FAB footprint, it’s really close (1111 Fulton); the space is amazing and you should drop by and check it out!

 

RESTAURANTS: DELIVERY SURVEY
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is conducting a survey about restaurant delivery. Your participation will help the agency study new laws regulating delivery apps. If your restaurant business provides delivery service, whether provided in-house or through a popular app, your input can help; complete the brief survey here.

 

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!