FAB Biz Blast – Jun 2022

SPRING STROLLS IN THE FAB DISTRICT
It’s FAB when our local officials visit the business district and engage small businesses, and that’s exactly what NYC Small Business Commissioner Kevin Kim and District 35 Council Member Crystal Hudson did last month! Touching down in Fort Greene, the two of them joined FAB FULTON Executive Director Christina Chavez for quick check-ins at various businesses and to share how the city is addressing the reduction of fines, violations, and citations through the new Small Business Forward plan. The Executive Order signed by Mayor Adams at the top of the year is aimed at reforms to cut red tape and reduce burdensome regulations to save NYC’s small businesses approximately $8.9 million.

And many FAB businesses know all too well about some of those fines and citations — a few shared their experience with our visiting officials, who offered multiple solutions and avenues of assistance.
 
The Fort Greene visit was successful, but we won’t stop there: Commissioner Kim and Council Member Hudson will return to the corridor for a Clinton Hill stroll, on Tue., June 14! In addition, the SBS Mobile Outreach Unit will be stationed in the district, with specialists on hand to provide one-on-one access to services for merchants, and even for residents looking for local employment. Although the location is still to be determined, the SBS Mobile Unit will be parked in Clinton Hill from 10-11:30 am. Check our social media feeds for up-to-date details on where to find the walk-up unit on the day of the visit.

 

NEED MORE PPE?
We still have a small supply of KN95 masks and hand sanitizer if you need more PPE for your staff. Send us an email to request and we’ll drop some off for you!

SUNDAY LIBATIONS
Last month, the New York State Senate passed the “Boozy Brunch Bill,” which would allow wine and liquor stores to open even earlier on Sundays. Most merchants open at noon on Sunday; this bill would allow sales as early as 10 am.

The measure was introduced by local lawmakers to help boost business for small business owners still trying to recover from losses during peak pandemic times.
 
The bill now goes to the state Assembly for consideration. Stay tuned for more!
 
 

APPLY FOR AN ALFRESCO GRANT!
The Alfresco NYC coalition, which is made up of public space, planning, and transportation organizations all working together to ensure that Open Restaurants and Open Streets programs are accessible to all New Yorkers, has a great opportunity for NYC’s small businesses!

Alfresco Grants are one-time small grants to support the Open Restaurants and Open Streets programs. Grants can range from a few hundred dollars to $10,000 per application.
 
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until June 24; apply here.


MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK IS JUNE 21
There is still time to perform or host your own musical concert for the city-wide celebration of Make Music New York (MMNY) on the summer solstice, Tue., June 21. Register at the MMNY site, and you can list your venue or search for musicians. Visit here for more details!


FAB FLICKS IS BACK!
The summer’s just heating up… and we’ve got cool movies on deck! We’ve partnered once again with BAM for a FREE, outdoor film series in spaces along our corridor. The quarter of features will be split between The Backlot at Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center (650 Fulton) in Fort Greene and Jitu Weusi Plaza in Clinton Hill.

If your business is interested in providing samples, freebies, promo items or raffle prizes for attendees of the movie nights, get in touch with us right away. We will include your business in our pre-event promotion and provide space for you to engage and interact with our neighborhood movie-goers — possible new clients and customers for you!


FAB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHAVEZ STEPPING DOWN
In case you missed the email blast of last month: FAB FULTON Executive Director Christina Chavez will be stepping down and leaving the BID (and NYC) in July.

Christina joined the BID in March 2020, mere days before the City moved into a lockdown status at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She quickly got up to speed to help provide vital resources for the district during this unprecedented time, including distribution of more than 40,000 items of PPE to businesses; connecting business owners to free legal and financial assistance programs; going door-to-door with representatives from Small Business Services, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and Neighborhood Coordination Officers to share important COVID-19 information and hear directly from you what is needed for further recovery. Also during this time, she concentrated on the continuation of our core services: supplemental sanitation services to keep Fulton Street clean, especially when the city’s sanitation budget was cut; marketing and promotion of the district through social media, newsletters, and free community events; and advocating on behalf of all of you through our partnerships with city agencies and local elected officials. 
 
The FAB Board of Directors Hiring Committee is currently leading the hiring process for a new Executive Director. The job posting and more information can be found on our website 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!