The EVCC works to support independent small businesses in our neighborhood to help maintain the diverse, unique community that has long thrived here and is essential for our future. Through community input and our Formula Retail Working Group, we analyzed the current state of formula retail within the East Village. The EVCC’s 2015 Preserving Local, Independent Retail report includes a set of proposals for limiting chain stores in the neighborhood through zoning reforms.
According to the Center for Urban Future, 2017 marked the ninth consecutive year there was a net increase in national chain stores throughout the five boroughs. To defend communities against this homogenizing trend, San Francisco and NYC’s own Upper West Side have turned to formula retail regulation.
In 2008, three corridors on NYC’s Upper West Side were rezoned as “Special Districts” in an attempt to offset a trend toward store frontages being overtaken by banks and apartment lobbies. The zoning now limits the storefront sizes and certain store conversions or changes in use. The City Council’s December 2017 report, Planning for Retail Diversity, states “restrictions on storefront sizes have been effective in stabilizing the number of storefronts on Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues and preventing the displacement of existing businesses for storefront mergers”.
San Francisco is the largest urban area in the US to have strict formula retail business restrictions. San Francisco’s zoning only allows formula retail in certain neighborhoods; requires neighborhood notifications before any chain retail is permitted; and can limit the size and type of formula retail allowed in a given area. The San Francisco Department of Planning’s website details the restrictions and provides residents with a link where they can find out exact zoning for specific sites.
The EVCC continues to press for any and all measures to support local independent business, and is working with CB 3 on a proposed Special District for the East Village.
Latest News on Our Efforts
- East Village Community Organizations Release “Crisis and Adaptation: Storefront Trends in the East Village, 2019 – 2021”The report explores storefront vacancies, retail mix, merchant stories, and changes in the commercial landscape since 2019. Read the report now!Read More
- Jazz + Tango Performances on Ave B Open Street! 1-5 PM SAT AUG 13Got plans for this weekend’s perfect weather? We do! Join us for a FREE Zumba class with the 14th Street Y at 1pm, and then stick around for Jazz and Tango performances by Kimberly Fergie and Los Chantas Tango NYC from 2-5pm as part of OpenArtsLES! FABnyc’s amazing resident artists will also teaching us the ...Read More
- New FREE Wednesday evening dance fitness classes on the Ave B Open Street!FREE fitness in the streets from LOSCC and our friends at the 14th Street Y! All levels welcome! Ave B and 11th Street 5:30 pm Masala Bhangra with Cloe 6:30 pm Heart & Soul Cardio with JohariRead More
- Citywide Dance Party on Ave B Open Street! 12-5 PM SAT AUG 6Dance your way down to the Avenue B Open Street! Start the afternoon with Zumba at Noon from our Friends at the 14th Street Y! Keep the beat alive! Salsa Lessons with instructor Marlon Mills at 1pm! Then groove to musical performances hosted by Open Arts LES from 2-5 pm, featuring salsa band Sonido Costeno and African diasporic tunes ...Read More
- Performances + Zumba on the Ave B Open Street! 1-5 PM SAT JUL 30Kiss July goodbye, and hang out with our friends FABnyc and Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition on the Ave B Open Street between 8th and 9th Street! Kick off the day with Zumba from 14th Street Y at 1pm and keep your body moving with live performances by BombaYo at 2:30 pm and Ukrainian Village ...Read More
- DOT Community Workshop + Family Fun on the Ave B Open Street! 1-5 PM SAT JUL 23Things are heating up on the Ave B Open Street! Join our friends FABnyc and the Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition tomorrow from 1-5 pm for a jam packed day featuring Zumba, artmaking workshops, and live performances! Introducing the new Ave B Arts Market, curated by FABnyc, here’s how to learn more and apply! Also! Share ...Read More
- LUNGS Produce Pickup is BACK! FRI JUL 22 – Early Fall at 313 E. 8th StreetThe LUNGS CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) is a pay-as-you-go program for gardeners, friends and neighbors who want to enjoy fresh produce without purchasing a seasonal share. For $12, you’ll get a bagful of fresh and healthy produce! Just sign up and pay one week in advance. You can start or stop anytime; there’s no long-term commitment. Pickup your produce bag every Friday ...Read More
- Zumba and the LES Community and Culture Day on Ave B Open Street! 1-5 PM SAT JUL 16Dance your way down to the Ave B Open Street for LES Community & Culture Day, featuring fabulous musical performances, poetry readings, crafting workshops, and tarot readings! All hosted for FREE by our friends at FAB NYC and curated by the Lower East Side Community Cultural Council. And don’t forget to dance your cares away ...Read More
- Zumba and Live Musical and Dance Performances on Ave B Open Street! 1-5 PM SAT JUL 9Join us on the Ave B Open Street at 1PM to dance the calories away with Fiorella and our friends from the 14th Street Y! Sign up for the class in-advance to receive notice if the class is moved indoors for weather, or just turn up a few minutes early if all’s fair: Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/14y-fitness-in-the-streets-tickets-375462728127 FAB’s ...Read More
- Japanese Folk Dancing and Pop Operas on Ave B Open Street! 2-5 PM SAT JUN 25Come and celebrate the last Saturday of June on the Ave B Open Street. FAB NYC’s OpenArtsLES will be hosting a fabulous and FREE performances by the Japanese Fold Dance Institute of NY as well as present the mesmerizing and interactive Expanding Table pop opera by Mindy Levokove & Co.Read More