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
- Register for our Jane’s Walks May 4 & 5! Saving History: Community Advocacy in the East Village 11AM SAT MAY 4 1PM SUN MAY 5 We’ll tour locations around Tompkins Square Park where community advocacy has changed the course of history, highlighting both landmarked buildings and others whose futures are currently being decided.We’ll finish by looking at the independent retail shops of East 9th Street! Join longtime resident / ... Read More
- Small Business News! CB 3 Meeting WED 4/25 Join us to hear Cooper Square Committee’s information on the Commercial Lease Assistance Program and the City Council’s Planning for Retail Diversity Report CB 3 Economic Development Committee 6:30 pm WED 4/25 University Settlement Houston Street Center 473 Bowery Despite the changes we see every day, our neighborhood is still a very special place! Please help preserve what we have. The City Council’s report expresses support for initiatives for which ... Read More
- Please Comment On LPC Rules Changes, Update On Keep The Cap Please comment on LPC Rules Changes! There is still time to comment on LPC rules changes. Public notice and the opportunity to comment are essential to good government. Sign on to GVSHP’s letter today! Neighbors, elected officials, Community Boards and preservationists turned out in force to voice concerns about the proposed set of changes to Landmarks Preservation Commission rules. With no public notice of applications ... Read More
- Love Our Local Merchants What’s not to love? EVCC’s 2018 Get Local Guide is full of lovely spots for: beautiful blooms ironic tees sweet treats thoughtful gifts vintage pops of red Spread the Love Share your finds on Yelp and Instagram #VivaEastVillage @evimanyc For extra xoxo’s Sign GVSHP’s petition in support of the Small Business Jobs Survival Act (SBJSA): https://secure2.convio.net/gvshp/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=131 Thanks for all you do! Read More
- End-Of-Year Appeal 2017 Dear Neighbors, Thank you for your commitment to preserving the East Village. My new role as Executive Director has taught me that the East Village Community Coalition is all about you: writing letters, making calls, attending events, staying informed, and shopping locally! We invite you to keep in touch, share your thoughts on what’s important to you and ... Read More
- The 2018 Get Local Guide The 2018 Get Local Guide has arrived! Email or call 212-979-2344 to get yours, or try our online version Read More
- Rally TODAY! 5:30pm 3rd Avenue & St Mark’s Place Join GVSHP, LESPI, Cooper Square Committee, EVCC, Bowery Alliance of Neighbors and others to save our neighborhood from becoming a glassy Silicon Alley! A $150 million deal has been signed for a “boutique office building” to rise at 3rd Avenue and St. Mark’s Place.Multiple office buildings, hotels and high-rise condos are planned for this area, pushing out longtime residents and businesses. The East Village Community Coalition strongly ... Read More
- Celebration Rally for CHARAS / El Bohio / Former P.S. 64 Rally 12pm Monday NOV 6 CITY HALL STEPS Join Us As We Mark the Anniversary of the late Community Leader and CHARAS Co-Founder Armando Perez’s Birthday and Celebrate the Mayor’s Announcement of His Intent to Reacquire CHARAS / EL BOHIO / FORMER P.S. 64! RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE With speakers Councilmember Rosie Mendez, Carlos ‘Chino’ Garcia, CHARAS, Inc., Andrew Berman, GVSHP, Laura Sewell, ... Read More
- Old P.S. 64 CHARAS / El Bohio News Mayor Bill de Blasio, Town Hall, October 12, 2017: I understand now that there’s been, for over a decade-and-a-half, a controversy and a problem over the CHARAS building, and that the decision made a long time ago by the Giuliani administration was a mistake. For the Giuliani administration to put that building into private hands failed ... Read More
- Old P.S. 64 CHARAS / El Bohio News Mayor Bill DeBlasio, Town Hall, October 12, 2017: I understand now that there’s been, for over a decade-and-a-half, a controversy and a problem over the CHARAS building, and that the decision made a long time ago by the Giuliani administration was a mistake. For the Giuliani administration to put that building into private hands failed miserably, and ... Read More