FAB Biz Blast – Mar 2021

LADIES FIRST
March is Women’s History Month! Since 1987, this month has been set aside to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions women continue to make in history, culture, and society while recognizing the continuing struggle for women’s equality.

 
FAB FULTON is home to over 25 woman-owned businesses that are excelling in bringing great products and customer service to the neighborhood, in everything from baked goods, books, wines, nail design, spa experiences, and more!
 
We’re celebrating the FAB women of Fulton this month in a cross-borough collaboration with 30 business improvement districts (BIDs), neighborhood associations, and merchants’ groups from New York City’s five boroughs that are coming together in March to honor Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Our focus is on women-owned small businesses in the city, which have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. We will be contacting many of the female-led ventures in our district, to gather photos and quotes to use in the campaign.
 
Tell your customers, family, and friends to look for the hashtag #smallbusinesswonderwomen on social media for profiles on dozens of fabulous woman-owned businesses all month long!
 
MEET OUR NEW INTERN, WELISNGTON FORTUNA
A recent high school graduate of Williamsburg Charter High School in Brooklyn, Welisngton has experience working in business, helping create organized events, and working in after school programs mentoring youth ages 7-10. He hopes to become an event planner to host events in the community.
 
So far, Welisngton has been out on the NYPD contact visits with our Neighborhood Coordination Officers in Sector D; walked sites with ART 360 artists; and helped organize our event supply inventory at our new office space. Very soon, you might see him out in the district taking photos, handing out important flyers, and perhaps even interviewing business managers and owners for profiles on the FAB FULTON social media and website. We’re excited to have him as part of the team and we’re sure you’ll make him feel welcome!
 
 
THE SMALLEST BIZS: NOW’S YOUR TIME!
For small businesses or nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees (including sole proprietors), you can now apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan during an exclusive window, now through March 9.
 
The special period for really small firms is specifically designed to help independent contractors and self-employed individuals with PPP funding. The White House notes that many of these businesses are owned by women and people of color.
 
The administration is also making it easier for certain biz owners to apply: it’ll allow small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions to obtain PPP funds. And allow owners delinquent on federal student loans to apply. 
 
The administration is also allowing biz owners who are lawful U.S. residents to apply by using Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to apply for PPP.
 
Get all the details you’ll need to apply by March 9 here!
 
 
IF IT’S SPRING, IT’S TIME FOR ART!
We are excited to announce that ART 360 is returning in Spring 2021! Saturday, May 8th is the chosen date for this fun, springtime happening in the Fort Greene neighborhood.
 
Planning is underway to bring back the signature kickoff to the FAB FULTON event season, where we celebrate and explore the art that is around us every day.
 
The site selection and artist connections are almost completed; if you were contacted for window art, you will be hearing from us this week with an update and next steps.
 
new idea brewing for the event will entail artistic demonstrations of skillful tasks, like floral arranging, nail design, gift-giving, and more, all executed by businesses sharing The Art Of…
 
And finally, there will be opportunities for area businesses to set up sidewalk displays, which will be helpful to attract shoppers still seeking great gifts for Mom for Mother’s Day, on Sun., May 9! (Check out details about the Open Storefronts program here.)
 
If you are interested in participating in any way, please contact us ASAP by sending an email here; we are in the late planning stages and will be making final decisions soon!


DID YOU KNOW?
NYC SBS (Small Business Services Department) compliance consultations have helped over 325 bars and restaurants avoid fines and ensure they’re compliant with Open Restaurant rules.
Have questions about your biz? Visit their site here to request a no-cost, virtual consultation!
 


NEIGHBORHOOD VISITS
Thank you
, Fort Greene FAB FULTON merchants! Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been able to speak to most of you as we accompanied your NYPD Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) while they spoke with owners and managers about recent incidents in the area and how to stay in contact. It’s really important for us to establish a network so we can easily communicate information. If you haven’t filled out a contact card, we will be dropping by your business to get one completed.

Our NCOs also gave us updates on recent crimes in Sector D. The person was apprehended for the January burglary at the Hungry Ghost (781 Fulton), and the person responsible for the brazen burglary through the front window at the Mac Shack (901 Fulton) was arrested last week. Please continue to utilize the safety tips shared by the officers on their visits and in our last newsletter; your cooperation helps apprehend some of these offenders, but prevention is even better.
 
 

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!