OUTDOOR DINING TO BECOME PERMANENT (EXCEPT WHEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT DOWN…)
Last month, the Mayor’s administration and the NYC City Council came to an agreement on the permanent Open Restaurants program. The bill is currently aging and is expected to be passed in late June.
Eater NY reports the bill is a version of the original proposal to make outdoor dining permanent, which was stalled in Council more than a year ago. Restaurants would be required to have a license ($1,050 for four years) to participate in outdoor dining (from April – November) and fees will be based on location and square footage. In addition, the bill requires restaurants to dismantle streetside outdoor dining structures during winter months. Sidewalk seating would be allowed year-round under the proposal, with fees that are lower than similar licenses before the pandemic.
After approval by City Council, there will be a rulemaking process to determine final details and design guidelines, with final rules set by September. Do you plan to participate in the outdoor dining and/or sidewalk seating program? Let us know your thoughts!
CRIME TIPS
There have been a few incidents of criminal activity on the FAB Fulton corridor, as reported to us by our NYPD 88th Precinct Neighborhood Coordination Officers (or NCOs). Over the last month, there was a burglary at a Fort Greene nail salon and an armed robbery at a Clinton Hill-area smoke shop.
As the weather gets warmer, and there is more activity on the streets, we want to share a few tips from the LAPD to prevent your small business from becoming a target of crime.
Burglary Prevention:
- Keep your cash register in plain view from the outside of your business, so it can be monitored by police during the day or at night. Leave it open and empty after closing.
- Windows and doors should have secure locks and burglar-resistant glass. Consider installing metal roll-down gates; if you already have them, use them.
- Remove all expensive items from window displays at night.
Robbery Prevention:
- Greet every person who enters the business in a friendly manner. Personal contact can discourage a would-be criminal.
- Keep windows clear of displays or signs and make sure your business is well-lighted. Check the layout of your store, eliminating any blind spots that may hide a robbery in progress.
- Keep small amounts of cash in the register to reduce losses.
- If you or your employees are confronted by a robber, cooperate. Merchandise and cash can always be replaced—people can’t!
We plan to get out and visit FAB-area businesses this summer, accompanied by our NCOs of Sector A and D. Look for us soon to stop by your business with tips and information.
SUMMER SOIREÉ
Mark your calendars for this summer affair! Meet us in a mini-Italian piazza perfect for mingling, right in the heart of the FAB Fulton district! Forma Pasta (5 Greene Ave) will host our next Merchant Mixer on Tue., June 27, from 8:30 – 10:30a. Please RSVP and plan to join us for the last get-together of FAB-area business owners of the fiscal year, before the summer season gets busy.
A NOTE ON PERMITS
If your business is celebrating a milestone, or planning fun summer events that will utilize your storefront and the surrounding area for an extended amount of time, please keep in mind that you should be applying for City permits. Whether you’re filming something, holding an in-store party, or simply playing music for all to enjoy, it’s important to have your paperwork in order to counter any neighborhood nuisance complaints that may be filed during your event. Sound permits are typically $45 and can be obtained a few days before your event through the Community Affairs arm of the NYPD 88th Precinct. If you are interested in utilizing an area beyond the property line of your location, for example, a block party, you will need additional permits from the NYC DOT and/or the Mayor’s Special Events office. Contact us if you have any questions or need assistance.
BUSY START TO SUMMER ON FAB FULTON!
We’re in high gear with activities and events out on these FAB Fulton streets! Please help us spread the word and good vibes about upcoming programming in June. We appreciate all reposts, tags, and mentions on our social feeds, as well as for allowing us to place postcards and flyers in your locations for your customers and clients! All the details are available on our website, too!
Coming up this month:
- Community Fitness with The Shala and Ping Pod (Fowler Square) – Sun., 6/11
- FAB Flicks (Jitu Weusi Plaza) kickoff – Thu., 6/15
- Town Hall 2: Community Connect at JACK NY (Clinton Hill) – Tue., 6/20
- Make Music NY Summer Solstice Music (Jitu Weusi Plaza) – Wed., 6/21
- Jazz at The Plaza + Health Fair (Jitu Weusi Plaza) – Thu., 6/22
ANNUAL MEETING REMINDER
It seems like a long way off, but it will be here before you know it. Please save the date for the FAB Fulton Annual Meeting, set for Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 11:00 am. We’re working on details now, but we are definitely planning for an in-person event. Registration details are coming soon; stay tuned.
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!
