Latest news from across the East Village
COVID-19 Impact
Published on: March 13, 2020 at 9:19 pm
Resources for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
Last updated March 19 at 9:30 pm EDT
Help us help small businesses!
Is your East Village business open or fulfilling orders online? Fill out this form to get on the map or update your hours!
NY Forward Guidelines:
Our essential local business are our heroes. We have suffered devastating losses: a beloved pharmacist, restaurant workers, essential workers and family members. Let’s keep this foremost in our minds and exercise caution as we find our way forward.
Restaurants / Bars:
Please order takeout and delivery directly from restaurants if possible. Support establishments that are operating responsibly.
Restaurants are open for Outdoor Dining. Outdoor dining enclosures must be at least 50% open. Indoor Dining at 50% capacity resumes March 19.
The announcement that Outdoor Dining will be permanent has caused considerable confusion. Enlargements that are attached to a building require a DOB permit, as does tapping into the building’s electric or gas systems. Propane heaters require an FDNY permit, and fuel must be properly stored or removed from the premises.
Our local businesses may not be aware of all of these new rules. If you feel comfortable doing so, try sharing the guidance and FAQs with them before making a business reopening complaint.
Businesses selling or serving alcohol to be consumed at the business or elsewhere must ensure that everyone within 100 feet of their business is in compliance with open container, face-covering and social distancing rules, and following all existing rules, regulations and laws.
Businesses that cannot follow these guidelines must stop selling alcohol until they can. Violations have resulted in licenses being suspended and revoked, with fines up to $10,000 per violation.
STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY online complaint form
Construction, Retail, Personal Care:
Construction, manufacturing, retail and personal care providers remain open under industry-specific guidelines.
Retail merchants: can vend on the sidewalks within 3 feet of their shops as of right. Many offer online ordering and shipping or curbside pickup!
The Open Streets program has been extended to Open Storefronts. Dry goods businesses may expand to the sidewalks. Dry goods businesses located on Open Street: Restaurants blocks may expand to the curb lane during Open Street: Restaurants hours. Please reach out with any questions.
Licensed Hair Care: many salons are working by appointment only, with limited accommodations for walk-ins. Other personal care services: massage, tattoo and piercing, hair removal, nail salons, etc. are open. Stock up on supplies and tip generously!
Health Care: Local health care providers have reopened by appointment. All are operating under stringent guidelines.
Fitness: Gyms that have passed inspection are operating at 25% capacity. Indoor group fitness classes are not permitted under the current guidelines, but many personal fitness instructors offer virtual classes.
Entertainment:
Movie theaters may reopen at 25% capacity on March 5. Some independent movie houses can only offer live-streamed programming under this constraint.
All nightclubs, small theater houses and concert venues remain closed. Many are streaming performances and classes. If you have the means, please keep your memberships current or ask for a donation receipt instead of a refund on tickets to help support your favorite venue.
Workers’ Rights:
For questions on reopening or to report employers that are not following guidelines, see multi-lingual information on workers’ rights or call the hotline: (212) 436-0381
Legal Assistance:
The moratorium on pending eviction proceedings and orders has been extended. Please note that the courts are operating with reduced capacity and have a backlog of cases. See these FAQs from the Commercial Lease Assistance Program.
Fill out this intake form to receive a free 45-minute consultation from the New York City Bar Association’s Small Business Remote Legal Clinic on loans & grants, contracts & force majeure clauses, employment law matters, real estate and commercial leasing issues, and insurance issues.
Financial Aid:
Sign up to receive the latest information from NYC Small Business Services
- Nightlife workers and businesses can look into the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation programs.
- Licensed beauty industry professionals can still apply for a one-time $500 grant from the Professional Beauty Association.
SBA is accepting new applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19. Few businesses are willing to take on debt at this time, but the loans are similar to a mortgage, with a low interest rate and a long repayment period. If access to capital is all that stands in your way, please check it out. SBA 24/7 hotline: (800) 659-2955.
Another option is the New York Forward loan program.
Reach out NOW for one-on-one assistance in reviewing your options, evaluating your offer, deciding next steps or navigating grants:
- Find an SBA regional office
- Find SBDC technical assistance (Pace, Baruch, Columbia)
Renaissance Economic Development Corporation has extensive small business lending expertise, including their own program targeted for our neighborhood, with interest forms in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean.
Nonprofit Online Lender Fundera.com has a wealth of information to help bring you up to speed.
Helpful Information:
Review the NYC Coronavirus Fact Sheet for Business Owners, FAQs and Safety Guidelines for Restaurant Service (where not overruled by mandated closures).
Price gouging for goods or services needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 is illegal. Examples include:
- Cleaning products
- Diagnostic products and services
- Disinfectants (wipes, liquids, sprays)
- Face masks
- Gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Medicines
- Paper towels
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soap
- Tissues
HelpMainStreet.com provides gift cards to local businesses. 100% of proceeds go directly to the business!
We’re here for our local businesses in this difficult time. Please let us know how we can help you: info@evccnyc.org.
Please check back with this page for updates and sign up for our email list!
Register for our Jane’s Walks May 4 & 5!
Published on: April 30, 2019 at 5:05 pm
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 / community advocate Laura Sewell and newcomer / architecture historian Ariana E. Kalliga as we explore what keeps our neighborhood unique and how we can continue its legacy.
10th Street Historic District photo courtesy of Village Preservation
Small Business News! CB 3 Meeting WED APR 25
Published on: April 19, 2018 at 5:14 pm
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 we have long advocated, and references EVCC’s
Preserving Local, Independent Retail:
Recommendations for Formula Retail Zoning in the East Village
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Several urban planning advocates have expressed strong support for implementing some form of formula retail use restrictions in New York City.
At a joint hearing of the Committees on Small Business and Zoning and Franchises, the East Village Community Coalition presented its report“Preserving Local, Independent Retail: Recommendations for Formula Retail Zoning,” which calls for creation of a special permit for opening formula retail within an East Village Special Purpose District.
The report has the support of the Center for an Urban Future and the Greenwich Village Historical Society.
More Small Business Momentum
Mayor de Blasio announced he is “very interested in fighting for a vacancy fee or a vacancy tax that would penalize landlords who leave their storefronts vacant for long periods of time . . .” on WNYC as reported in The Post.
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez reintroduced the long pending Small Business Jobs Survival Act (SBJSA).
Council Members Rafael Espinal, Jr., Margaret Chin, Carlina Rivera, and Costa Constantinides are sponsors.
Help ensure these vital initiatives reach fruition as soon as possible and with all their strength intact.
Support the Small Business Jobs Survival Act:
send GVSHP’s letter today!
Thanks for all you do.
Please Comment On LPC Rules Changes, Update On Keep The Cap
Published on: April 3, 2018 at 5:03 pm
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!
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With no public notice of applications or decisions made, and no opportunity to review or challenge applications, these will be presented as facts to LPC Staff, who are pressed to operate beyond capacity by the sheer volume of applications in today’s fast-paced market. Much to neighbors’ dismay, distressed historic family homes are being bought up and renovated for quick profit.
Rear yard and rooftop additions are of particular concern. Our shared courtyards were designed to bring light and air into our apartments. The trend toward converting this essential space into rooftop decks and rear balconies, to be used by a few, negatively impacts everyone else’s quality of life. Preservation is not just about how buildings look from the street: it’s about how buildings function, and what they were designed to do. Decisions that affect the public should include public input!
Read the Historic District Council’s comprehensive comments and testimony here.
Read CB 3 Executive Committee’s resolution here.
Hear continued discussion at CB 3 Landmarks Committee meeting
Tuesday April 10 6:30p
New York State Budget Keeps the Height Cap
For the second time in two years, the State legislature sought to lift a half-century old limit on the size of residential buildings. STATE SENATOR BRAD HOYLMAN issued a statement on the dangerous proposal to ELIMINATE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN NEW YORK CITY: “I am outraged that Senate Republicans proposed needlessly eliminating height restrictions by repealing the maximum Floor Area Ratio for residential buildings in New York City . . . This repeal would be one of the most dramatic changes in zoning law in the past 50 years, and it is unconscionable to try and push it through with no debate. I opposed this last year and will continue to fight tooth and nail to prevent this irresponsible proposal from becoming a reality.” The NYS budget that passed last week will keep our height restrictions in place for now, but these ideas have a tendency to resurface when an opportunity appears. We will remain vigilant. |
Love Our Local Merchants
Published on: February 13, 2018 at 4:51 pm
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
Share your finds on Yelp and Instagram
#VivaEastVillage
@evimanyc
For extra xoxo’s
https://secure2.convio.net/gvshp/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=131
End-Of-Year Appeal 2017
Published on: December 19, 2017 at 4:42 pm
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 how you’d like to help: Email us to pledge any amount of time in 2018.
Please help further our work in 2018 by making a year-end donation. Your support today helps us increase our impact throughout the coming year.
The East Village Community Coalition is a registered non-profit organization.
Make your fully tax-deductible contribution before the New Year!
Here’s a look at what EVCC accomplished this year:
PRODUCED The 11th Edition of the GET LOCAL GUIDE to East Village Shops and Services. Our independent merchants need your support. Please shop locally in 2018! Spread the word about your favorites on FaceBook, Yelp and Instagram.
COLLABORATED with Community Board 3 and Council Member Rosie Mendez’ office to support the Mayor’s interest in returning CHARAS/ El Bohio / Old P.S. 64 to the community.
WORKED with preservation groups and neighbors to further zoning protections for 3rd & 4th Avenues and a Special District for the East Village, defended height restrictions for 432 E 14th St, and encouraged registry or landmarking of several unique East Village buildings.
COLLABORATED with Community Board 3 and local Block Associations to maintain balance between nightlife establishments and daytime retail that supports the needs of local residents.
What you can do now:
- DONATE to EVCC today! by check, PayPal, Network for Good
- FUN TIP: Use EVCC’s Get Local Guide to find perfect last-minute gifts right in the neighborhood! Thanks so much for your support. Look forward to working with you in 2018!
Best Wishes,
Laura Sewell
Executive Director
The 2018 Get Local Guide
Published on: December 14, 2017 at 5:28 pm
The 2018 Get Local Guide has arrived!
Email or call 212-979-2344 to get yours,
or try our online version
Old P.S. 64 CHARAS / El Bohio News
Published on: October 13, 2017 at 3:51 pm
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 miserably, and we’ve seen the negative effect that that has had on the community.
So I’m announcing tonight, the City’s interest in reacquiring that building.
We are ready to right the wrongs of the past, and we will work with Council Member Mendez and her successor to get that done.
A thrill went through the Town Hall crowd that heard these words, and nothing can diminish the value of the Mayor’s public recognition of the truth.
The East Village Community Coalition looks forward to working with the Mayor’s office, Council Member Mendez and her successor, Community Board 3, CHARAS, GVSHP, our coalition partners and our neighbors to see this cherished landmark returned to true community use.
Old P.S. 64 CHARAS / El Bohio News
Published on: October 12, 2017 at 7:01 pm
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 we’ve seen the negative effect that that has had on the community.
So I’m announcing tonight, the City’s interest in reacquiring that building.
We are ready to right the wrongs of the past, and we will work with Council Member Mendez and her successor to get that done.
A thrill went through the Town Hall crowd that heard these words, and nothing can diminish the value of the Mayor’s public recognition of the truth.
The East Village Community Coalition looks forward to working with the Mayor’s office, Council Member Mendez and her successor, Community Board 3, CHARAS, GVSHP, our coalition partners and our neighbors to see this cherished landmark returned to true community use.