The COVID pandemic took more than 45,000 lives in New York and although hundreds of businesses could not stay afloat and had to close, thousands of restaurants in the five boroughs were saved, largely because the City promoted a temporary program so that Dining rooms will be installed in outdoor spaces, benefiting more than 12,000 sites.
And just when municipal authorities are intensifying the call for restaurants that want to continue offering outdoor service now permanently to submit their applications before August 3, Queens businesses received good news this Monday: a total of 60 locations will be able to save thousands of dollars by installing outdoor structures without paying a single peso for modules or chairs or tables.
This was announced by the congresswoman from Queens County, Grace Meng, after presenting a pilot initiative called “Eating out in District 6”, in which $2 million will be allocated to help neighborhood restaurants with the installation of outdoor dining rooms. that comply with safety, hygiene and procedures standards. The plan will only cover restaurants in Bayside, Elmhurst, Flushing, Forest Hills and Rego Park, whose owners will be able to apply online through the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).
“Restaurants are crucial to Queens. Like many other small businesses, they help drive the economy, create jobs and attract investment to our communities. From Main Street to Metropolitan Avenue passing through Northern Boulevard, Queens is characterized by having the best food in the city and on the planet and we must give them the tools they need to be more successful,” said the political leader of Queens, during the presentation of the program at the Mojitos restaurant on Northern Boulevard and 81st Street, the first location to benefit.
“These free outdoor dining structures will help dozens of restaurants in our county grow and prosper, while allowing the public to continue enjoying outdoor dining. As the daughter of restaurant workers, I know how vital these businesses are,” said the congresswoman.
The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), which will manage the initiative together with the Department of Transportation, will enable a page on its website in the coming days for interested businesses that meet the requirements to having outdoor dining areas may apply.
“Queens is one of the world’s leading culinary capitals. Outdoor dining has not only provided a new experience that attracts new customers, it has also boosted restaurants’ bottom lines and continues to grow our economy,” said Kevin D. Kim, commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. New York City. “We are grateful for Congresswoman Grace Meng’s continued advocacy for local small businesses as we open our commercial corridors for a vital revenue boost. “This funding will support 60 Queens restaurants and set the stage for small businesses in every borough to embrace outdoor dining as we approach 2025.”
Congresswoman Meng and city and state leaders at Mojitos restaurant. Photo Edwin Martínez
Jessica Rico, owner of the Mojitos restaurant, the first lucky person to enjoy the program, along with other restaurants in Queens, not only mentioned that the initiative saved her around $10,000, which she can use in other expenses of the restaurant that opened almost seven years ago. , but also by having tables in the outdoor space of your premises, you will be able to generate more jobs.
“These tables outside are a big help. During the pandemic it made it possible for us to have a break and practically, providing service outside was what saved us from not closing and being able to continue existing, and now it is our respite again, a great saving, because if it were not for this program we would suddenly not “We could have continued having outdoor tables because it is expensive to set up that,” said the small businesswoman, commenting that the kits are also very practical.
“Everything comes prefabricated. Here they put it together in just five hours, because it is just installing each piece like a puzzle, and since it is practical, when we have to dismantle it in November, because the tables on the streets only last from March to November, we can easily remove it and store it until “The time comes to put it back together,” explained the owner of Mojitos, urging other businesses to abide by the rules to have greater profits. “We followed all the City’s guidelines, always to the letter and as it should be, we always passed all our inspections, we did things right, and that is why we were one of the first to benefit from these free structures. The Small Business Agency contacted us and the decision was made for us to be part of the project with the funds that Congresswoman Meng had obtained.”
Other restaurants that have already benefited from the initiative are Fabrika, serving Latin food, and The Queensboro. Restaurants located within Queens District 6 interested in one of the no-cost kits should fill out an interest form or call SBS at 888-SBS-4NYC.
The commissioner of the City Department of Transportation, Ydanis Rodríguez, highlighted the benefits of the subsidized structures program and took the opportunity to ask New York restaurant owners who want to join the outdoor dining program that will run from March to November, permanently, Don’t wait until the last minute to register.
“Don’t delay, apply today! We New Yorkers usually leave everything until the last minute. “Restaurants with outdoor dining facilities have until August 3 to apply for Dining Out NYC or remove their facilities,” the official said. “Thanks to Congresswoman Meng’s leadership, it is even easier for restaurants in New York’s 6th Congressional District to participate in the program and for district residents to enjoy all that outdoor dining has to offer.”
The Deputy Mayor of Housing, Economic Development and Workforce, María Torres-Springer, joined the call and urged businesses to sign up to receive the free structural kits in Congressional District 6 and in the rest of the city to be able to offer Foreign service.
“As we begin the first season of the city’s permanent outdoor dining program, I want to express my gratitude to Congresswoman Meng for helping 60 restaurants in her district boost their participation in the program,” said administration official Adams. . “We share the belief in how beneficial this program can be to both restaurant owners and their communities, attracting even more people to our commercial corridors and strengthening the growth of small businesses in our hospitality industry throughout the city. Restaurants, if you haven’t already, apply by August 3rd!”
Director of Public Domain, Ya-Ting Liu, mentioned that in addition to being a welcome boost for Queens property owners, it will help keep Queens County more vibrant.
These free exterior kits are functional and take just 5 hours to assemble. Photo Edwin Martínez
“What better place to celebrate the diversity of our city’s culinary offerings than in the heart of Queens, where 60 small businesses will benefit from free outdoor dining facilities that comply with the new rules and demonstrate that the next generation of outdoor dining will be a true five-county experience,” Liu said. “Thank you, Congresswoman Meng and all of our federal partners, for your leadership and for helping New York City expand the nation’s largest permanent outdoor dining program in a way that works for small businesses and all of New York. York.”
Initiative data
- 60 Queens restaurants will benefit
- 4 have already been delivered
- 56 facilities remain pending to be assigned among those who apply
- Restaurants in Bayside, Elmhurst, Flushing, Forest Hills and Rego Park, District 16, may apply
- Congresswoman Meng got $2 million in federal resources for District 6
- August 3 is the deadline to apply for those who wish to install outdoor dining areas