This Is Queensborough - February 2020

this is...

“WE HAVE TWO MORE YEARS LEFT, WE WANT TO LEAVE A LEGACY OF SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS.”

February 2020 . Volume 16 . Issue 2

SMALL

STEPS

SBS HEADS REFLECTS ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 2019, LOOKS FORWARD TO 2020

ALSO

• THE DEAL TO SAVE NEIR’S TAVERN • CHAMBER HOSTS BOROUGH PRESIDENT CANDIDATES • QUEENSBORO FC LOOKS TO BUILD CONNECTIONS

DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES COMMISSIONER GREGG BISHOP

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

IT’S IN OUR BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE

In business I’ve learned it’s Business Enterprises (MWBE), essential to have resources you Veterans, and LGBTQ-owned can rely on regardbusinesses are just less of the need. some of those who I’m excited to make up the fabric of announce that the our businesses that Queens Chamber has populate our various just finalized their neighborhoods. In Business Services fact, 90% of Queens Guide, a complete Chamber memberguide to resources ship is comprised of and support for the businesses with ten Queens business or fewer employees. community. When TOM SANTUCCI We’re committed I think about our CHAIRPERSON to creating growth diverse county in opportunities for all which we live, work size organizations and play, it’s important to align that operate within Queens. resources in support of those Technology plays an intricate businesses which are equally role in every aspect of business diverse. and I’d like to see Fortune 500 Minority and Women Owned technology come to the here

in Queens. It’s the key to sustainable long-term success within our community.

Resources are indeed essential. Make it a priority to access those offered

by Queens Chamber as you strategize ways to grow your organization.

Since 1911, we’ve advocated on behalf of business in Queens, educated you on what’s relevant to stimulate growth, and provided numerous opportunities to network which strengthens your networks.

Thank you for your continued support of the Queens Chamber of Commerce!

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

2020 IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FORWARD THINKING Over the years, the Queens The goal with this project is Chamber has been forward think- to help neighborhood stakeing in our approach to forging holders and businesses improve new paths as it relates to doing their marketing and operations. business in Queens.

We’re proud to We are well- posibring this technoltioned to implement ogy to Astoria, the exciting new innoRockaways, and the vations designed area surrounding to improve marketthe USTA Tennis ing, operations, and Center in 2020. overall engagement http://www.relowithin our membercatetoqueens.org/ ship and communiour unique, data ty we serve. powered business In collaboration attraction website with a number of THOMAS J. GRECH is designed to bring partners, we’re PRESIDENT & CEO new businesses to rolling out sevthe borough. It will eral initiatives and also enable our real opportunities which will stimu- estate partners an opportunity to late innovative ways to promote showcase their commercial propbusiness growth here in Queens erties. The site combines mapCounty. based property search and robust Our geofencing program is demographic, economic data for starting its’ second year of our our real estate stakeholders. We Neighborhood Data Initiative, added the full list of 63 EOZ’s which brings spatial data analyt- as well for even more advanced ics to Queens neighborhoods and overlay.

Business Improvement Districts We are also embracing (BIDs).

WeChat, a first for any Chamber

we know of in the US. WeChat is a Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app used by over a billion users around the world.

This tech will allow us to better connect with Chinese speaking Queens and NYC residents as well as their friends and relatives in mainland China. Be on the lookout for the launch of our WeChat account in the coming

months.

As Queens Chamber forges into the future with these innovative offering, it is my desire as business leaders that you take full advantage of these and all the benefits, we offer designed to grow your business.

The future is bright and thank you for supporting the Chamber as we continue to work diligently on your behalf.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS QUICKLY MTA TO STUDY NEW QNS-BK RAIL LINK The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that it has awarded a contract to an engineering firm to begin studying the feasibility of initiating passenger service to a freight-only rail line running from Bay Ridge and Sunset Park to Astoria.

“This project is hugely exciting, partly because it is based on the concept of squeezing more out of our already existing infrastructure so we don’t always have to build new subway lines from scratch,” said MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber. “Putting mass transit on the Bay Ridge Branch could allow the MTA to serve more neighborhoods and provide better connections to thousands of people throughout Brooklyn and Queens.”

The southern part of the line is owned by MTA Long Island Rail Road and used exclusively for freight trains operated by the New York & Atlantic Railway. The northern part is owned by CSX Transportation, a freight railroad.

The study will evaluate the potential for sub-

way, commuter rail, light rail or bus service that would operate in conjunction with existing and planned freight rail service to help residents travel within Brooklyn and Queens and create a potential for reverse commute to suburban destinations.

New transit service could offer potential connections or transfers to intersecting subway lines and the LIRR. The line is nearly 16 miles long and runs from the New York Harbor waterfront to Astoria via Midwood, East New York, Brownsville, Bushwick, Glendale, Middle Village and Elmhurst.

It crosses or nears 19 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road.

The MTA has awarded the contract, valued at $1.3 million, to engineering firm AECOM, who will work with subcontractor WSP.

GROUP RAISES $57K FOR COLLEGE FUNDS A campaign to raise money for a college savings fund for students has more than doubled its original goal.

NYC Kid RISE announced last week that it has raised more than $57,400 for its “Funding Long Island City’s Future” campaign. The funds will go toward college scholarships and career training for 942 students in Long Island City.

Students from PS 76, PS 111, PS 112, Growing Up Green Charter School and VOICE Charter School will each receive an additional $60.94 in their scholarship accounts.

“At the heart of the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program is showing that when communities come together for students early on, we can make a real impact,” said Debra-Ellen Glickstein, executive director of NYC Kids RISE. “The Long Island City community has not only raised money that will benefit local

students, but has also demonstrated to students and our neighborhood families that the entire community is behind them.”

The campaign ran from December 11-31.

More than a dozen local businesses contributed to the campaign, including Boyce Technologies, Kaufman Astoria Studios and Modern Spaces.

Five local groups and houses of worship contributed as well, including the Gantry Parent Association, Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement and Wellspring Church NYC. Altogether, the campaign had 102 individual donors.

INVESTORS TO GIVE $100K TO SMALL BIZ Investors Bank is inviting small businesses in Queens to compete for one of two grand prize packages valued at more than $100,000.

The easy-to-enter Investors Bank Movers & Shakers Small Business Competition is open to businesses doing between $2 million and $20 million in revenue with less than 100 employees and headquartered or conducting the majority of business in Metro New York and New Jersey.

Ten finalists will be selected from among the two categories: general business and minority- or women-owned business. There will be two grand prize winners named from among the finalists.

Investors Bank, WCBS Newsradio 880, and the New Jersey Devils are providing the grand prizes, which include: • $10,000 in cash from Investors Bank; • $15,000 in advertising value on WCBS Newsradio 880; • Exclusive New Jersey Devils corporate sponsorship assets; and, • VIP event experience at Prudential Center for the contest winners and 15 guests.

“Investors Bank is committed to helping small businesses grow by supporting those that share our key ideals of creativity, competitiveness, and community,” said Domenick Cama, president and COO of Investors Bank. “Small businesses are

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6

GNYADA Wraps Up Annual Holiday Coat Drive .............................................22

EXPERT ADVICE: A Small Business Website that Succeeds ...........8

Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings ........................................................26

Chamber Brokers Handshake Deal to Save Historic Bar .....................12

Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................29

COVER STORY: SBS Commissioner Reflects on 2019 ......................14 Borough President Candidates Talk Business Climate in Queens ....16 Queensboro FC Reps Meet With Chamber Members ..........................18 February Networking Event at St. John’s ..................................................21 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2 vital to the local economy. The extent to which small businesses provide valuable services determines the local economy’s prosperity. We want to support this prosperity.”

Interested applicants should submit an “elevator pitch” of no more than 1,000 words describing how their business aligns with the Investors Bank ideals of: • Creativity – uniqueness, bringing a new approach to the marketplace; • Competitiveness – managing near-in competition and with the larger conglomerates; and, • Community – having a positive impact on the immediate neighborhood where customers and employees live and work, as well as the region and the world.

Entries must be submitted at myinvestorsbank. com/SmallBizEntry by February 28. A short video about the competition also is available at that

QUEENS QUICKLY website.

“Small businesses are the foundation of our communities and Investors is committed to finding better ways to serve them,” said Mike MacIntyre, head of Business Banking at Investors. “We recently hired an additional team of small business bankers dedicated to helping our small businesses succeed, as well as have plans to phase in a digital loan origination platform to streamline our small business loan origination process.”

All of the finalists will be invited to an event at the Radio.com Theater, and will receive tickets to the WCBS NewsRadio 880 New Jersey Business Breakfast in June. Each of the grand prize winners will be featured in a Small Business Spotlight on

WCBS. “Investors prides itself on its commitment to community, whether through our support of small business, the work we do through our foundation, our sponsorships, or the tens of thousands of hours volunteered each year to support local initiatives,” said executive vice president and chief retail officer Bill Brown. “Community is who we are, and small businesses are the backbone of communities.”

More information on the Investors Bank Movers & Shakers Small Business Competition is available in your local Investors Bank branch or at myinvestorsbank.com.

FENCING ACADEMY OPENS ITS FIRST QUEENS LOCATION ON AUSTIN When the time came for Bayside native James Sheridan to expand his fencing club, he knew that Queens was the right place to look.

As of last Thursday, Sheridan Fencing Academy has a new home in the heart of Forest Hills, just one block from Austin Street and even closer to Yellowstone Boulevard.

Located at 106-06 Queens Boulevard, the academy offers fencing classes for all ages, from kids as young as four to adult beginners.

The 2,000-square-foot facility is run by Mihail Etropolski, who as a competitor represented the U.S. in several World Cups, as well as the 2010 Pan American Championships.

He is part of a legacy of accomplished fencers: his father won the World Championship in 1983 for Bulgaria and his uncle earned the silver medal in 1985.

Etropolski transitioned into coaching roughly 15 years ago.

He realized through working with younger athletes that he has a natural ability to teach the sport.

“I found out I really enjoy the human side of it,” he said. “Especially with kids who may not have found a way to put their personality into something. And when you find a way to explain the nature of the game or a way for them to be creative in it, you’ll see all of a sudden this ownership that they take of their own training.”

Now head coach of the Forest Hills club, Etropolski, who moved to Sunnyside with his family at

age nine, began his career with Sheridan Fencing Academy at it’s Manhattan location.

“There’s no serious fencing club in Queens, and when I say serious I mean competitively focused,” he explains. “So it was exciting for me to start a program in Queens where I grew up.”

Sheridan himself also holds an impressive fencing resume. He trained with world renowned coach Zbigniew Czajkowski in Poland, where he became the only American to complete the masters program at the Academy of Physical Education in Katowice.

When Sheridan returned to New York, teaching the sport he loved seemed like the logical next step in his career. He played on what he calls “marketable skills” and got straight to work building what would become an extremely successful fencing academy.

“It’s something I’ve always been drawn to passionately, almost to the point of obsession,” says Sheridan.

“No matter what has gone on in my life, fencing has remained a constant.”

In 2007, Sheridan founded the club’s flagship location on the Upper East Side. Sheridan Fencing Academy soon developed some of the country’s top fencers, including the 2012 Junior Olympic Champion, the 2014 and 2016 NCAA Champions, and the National Champion in 2018.

Sheridan is the first Americanborn coach in history to train a

James Sheridan and Mihail Etropolski inside the newest Sheridan Fencing Academy location. world champion in sabre, having worked with a member of the U.S. junior women’s team that took the title in 2013.

“I can tell you that when she first started, she was an awkward mess,” jokes Sheridan. “But what mattered was perseverance.”

He explains that one of the most important lessons he learned from the sport - one that he says many fencing newcomers can benefit from as well - is that we don’t need to be good at something the first day in order to be able to excel.

“If students put aside concerns of winning or losing and start focusing on skill development, they can become great,” he adds.

The Forest Hills Sheridan Fencing Academy has enrolled nearly 30 students so far, but Sheridan

expects to see that number increase, as demand for the sport blossoms.

He acknowledges expanded interest in fencing from parents, who are savvy to the role it plays in college admissions. Since the pool of competition for NCAA scholarships is much smaller in fencing compared to more mainstream sports, athletes have a higher chance of being recruited to compete for universities.

“Beyond that, it’s fun,” emphasizes the coach. “We want to give them a longer career in the sport, so by the time they get to college they still love doing it.”

For more information on Sheridan Fencing Academy or to inquire about coaching opportunities, visit sheridanfencing.com.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Queens Legal Services provides high-quality years at the USAA in San Antonio. During the May joins JFKIAT as free civil legal services to thousands of low- last four years, she served as the corporation’s Queens residents each year, protecting executive vice president, chief legal officer, and chief financial officer income the rights of vulnerable people across the bor- corporate secretary.

JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, announced the appointment of James May as vice president of Finance and chief financial officer (CFO).

May joins JFKIAT from Phoenix Services LLC, a global leader in steel mill services, where he served as chief financial officer.

May has more than 20 years of multinational experience in a variety of financial and nonfinancial roles across industries that range from manufacturing to private equity.

Prior to his role at Phoenix Services, May served as chief financial officer of Atlantic AviaMAY tion, where he redefined safety programs, leading to a substantial improvement in safety performance, and enhanced data capture and processing to improve the financial results and decision-making processes.

May has also worked with The Macquarie Group as a senior vice president, where he led more than $3 billion in debt refinancing, $2 billion in acquisitions and investments, 15 percent in cost reductions at Atlantic Aviation, and other performance measurement and enhancement initiatives.

In his new role at JFKIAT, he will oversee all financial activity for T4, including accounting, financial planning and analysis, risk management, procurement and legal functions.

“We are excited for James to join our team,” said Roel Huinink, president and CEO of JFKIAT. “His experience will help to support our strong results-focused culture, and we believe his unique mix of in-depth financial understanding, business awareness and commercial experience will be of a tremendous value to JFKIAT as we continue to elevate the customer experience within the terminal.”

May holds an MBA in Business Administration from Columbia University and an MA in Economics from The University of Edinburgh.

He is also an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Burrell returns to Legal Services NYC Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) announced that Michelle Burrell began as the new Project Director of Queens Legal Services.

6

ough, including LGBTQ communities, survivors of domestic violence, and communities of color.

“For over a decade, Michelle has dedicated her career to protecting New York City’s most vulnerable children and families, and we are beyond thrilled to have her lead Queens Legal Services,” said Raun Rasmussen, executive BURRELL director of Legal Services NYC. “Michelle’s work for the communities she serves is driven by a deep sense of justice.”

Burrell began her career as a staff attorney at Legal Services NYC’s Brooklyn Family Defense Practice. She then became a staff attorney in the Matrimonial & Family Law Unit at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) where she represented litigants in matrimonial, custody, visitation and family offense cases.

She comes back to Legal Services NYC from the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (NDS), where she was the managing attorney of the Family Defense Practice.

In that role, she managed a staff of attorneys, social workers, parent advocates and paralegals that provide legal representation to indigent parents and family caregivers who have been accused of abuse and neglect in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.

She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and CUNY School of Law, where she was a member of the Black Law Students Association and a member of the Law Review.

“It is an honor to return to Legal Services NYC, where I began my legal career,” said Burrell. “Joining Queens Legal Services is an incredible opportunity to both champion the amazing individuals who provide support and advocacy to the borough’s most vulnerable populations and to work to dismantle the interlocking systems of oppression that impact our neighbors and friends.”

ConEd taps Donnley for senior VP post Deneen Donnley has been named senior vice president and general counsel of Consolidated Edison. Donnley succeeds Elizabeth Moore, who retired at the end of December.

Donnley comes to Con Edison after nine

For the previous five years, she was senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of USAA’s federal savings bank. Between 2000 and 2010, Donnley was an SVP, general counsel, and secretary at ING Direct USA, managing legal and compliance matters for the ING Direct bank and its subsidiaries in Wilmington, Delaware.

“Deneen brings a wealth of experience as a general counsel and as a thought-leading attorney, helping to manage dynamic businesses through a period of fast-paced marketplace change,” said John McAvoy, Con Edison’s chairman and CEO. “The challenges Con Edison faces as we move to a renewable, low-carbon energy future where customer DONNLEY needs drive our strategic actions will leverage off her strengths and resourcefulness.”

Donnley’s legal experience also includes six years as a staff attorney for the Federal Reserve in Washington, as well as two years at a Wilmington law firm. She also was a budget analyst for the City of New York for two years.

She earned a J.D. from Fordham University and also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2019 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication.

Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

BUSINESS NEWS

MANUFACTURING SPACE OPENS IN OZONE PARK

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul addresses the crowd during the grand opening ceremony.

BY SARA KREVOY State and city officials joined Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC) in January for the opening of the Ozone Park Industrial Center, a new space that will house local entrepreneurs like woodworkers, artisans and makers.

The project includes the $42 million rehabilitation of a 113-year-old factory, making GMDC’s investment one of the largest in the recent history of Ozone Park.

Spread over three buildings, the Industrial Center has 85,000 square feet of flexible manufacturing units leasable to more than two dozen small and midsize businesses.

Originally built in 1906, the lot previously served as the Spear & Company Factory, producing hats and wax novelty items. The building later transitioned into the headquarters for the Worksman bicycle company.

It is now listed as a historic place both by the state and nationally.

Calculated to provide 80 jobs,

the project is part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s efforts to revitalize New York’s manufacturing sector. Nearly two-thirds of construction workers employed for the project live in Brooklyn and Queens.

“The new GMDC Ozone Park Industrial Center builds on our economic development strategy by transforming a historic structure into space that will allow manufacturers to thrive in Queens,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Supported by significant state investment, this project embraces our past and charts a course for the future focused on job growth, innovation, and the continued rebirth of manufacturing across New York.”

In addition to nearly $11 million in funding from the state, including a grant from Empire State Development, federal historic preservation tax credits and money from NYSERDA to put toward solar power installations, the GMDC Ozone Park Industrial Center was also supported by the city’s Industrial Developer CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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EXPERT ADVICE SECRETS OF A SUCCESSFUL SMALL BUSINESS WEBSITE

BY JEFF SCHICK

going this route is not advised.

Many factors go into building a Wisdom tells us if you have a successful website besides makbusiness, you need a website. How- ing it look good. Security, search ever, many small businesses are engine optimization, usability, not clear about how to maximize tracking traffic, adaptability, and it. Your website should be a valu- payment options are all factors to able tool to supbe considered in port your growth addition to layout and success, but if and content. not done properly The developer it won’t be effeccan also help pick Sprite Media in Forest Hills tive. can help you make an effective your webhost. A When thinking webhost is the website, and offers a realistic, about your web- no-pressure assessment of what space on the interyour small business needs. For site, consider the net where your more information, visit following: Do website lives. A Sprite-Media.com. you want to sell good webhost is products directessential for conly through your sistency and effiwebsite? Do you use it to advertise ciency. what you sell or the services you The last thing a small business provide? Do you want it to build needs is to lose sales, clients or cusbrand recognition? tomers because the website is down Whether you sell products, pro- or doesn’t work properly. Most vide services or are involved in hosts include additional services nonprofit activities, it is essential to such as custom email addresses. be clear about your business goals Hosting can run between $50 to because it informs how to build $200 per year. your website.

Once you have the host, you Once goals are in place, the next can add the webpages. Your pages step is deciding how your website should look modern, support the can support them. The first step goals of your business, and answer is to partner with a professional the question “why would anyone website developer. While there want to look at this website.” are many “do-it-yourself” website Most viewers evaluate websites options, for a professional business in seconds and will move on if they are confusing or if content is not compelling – another reason to use an experienced professional.

Still, it can be difficult to know who to trust. Some unprofessional folks may take advantage of small businesses by charging ridiculous amounts of money. Recently, I ran into a business owner who spent $80,000 on her site!

Websites shouldn’t cost a halfyear’s profits, and more money doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. Ask the web professional Jeff Schick is director of Techto show you examples of his/her nology for Sprite Media, Inc. work, get references, and discuss and a member of the Queens budget up front.

Another thing to watch for is Chamber of Commerce Techdevelopers trying to baffle you nology Committee. He can be with buzz words. If you don’t know reached at JeffSchick@Spritea term, ask, and have the developer Media.com or (646) 893-8040. explain why it’s important for your

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business. However, to help you be a savvy consumer, here are some definitions: • Responsive web design - Websites should be made in a responsive format. This means the website is set for optimal viewing whether you are using a computer, tablet or smartphone.

If a website is not responsive, it may be unreadable on a smartphone (80 percent of people view webpages on their smartphones).

• SSL Certificate – Coding in the webpage that allows a secure connection between web server and browser. An active SSL certificate page starts with the address “https” vs. “http.”

If you are using a Chrome Browser you will see a picture of a lock and the phrase “secure web-

site.” You should never purchase anything online from a website which does not start with “https.”

• SEO - “Search engine optimization” helps your website to be as close to the first page of search results. An SEO project includes adding code in the site that is friendly to search engines.

• Web Analytics – This is data measurement of how well your website is doing. This can include how many visitors came to your website per month, what type of browser was used, what country they are in, and how long they spent on your website.

When you run a small business, you have a lot to do and everything you do has to support your goals of success. This includes your website.

GMDC IN OZONE PARK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Fund and Industrial Development Agency.

GMDC is one of the city’s largest non-profit industrial developers, having completed eight similar undertakings in Brooklyn. The GMDC Ozone Park Industrial Center is its first location in Queens.

Tenants are expected to begin occupying the space in the coming months.

“Small entrepreneurs represent the best of New York City, combining the Big Apple’s creativity, energy, and hustle to build their own success,” said Winston Fisher, co-chair of the city’s Regional Economic Development Council. “Their work honors New York’s history as a manufacturing center, and by supporting this project, we are celebrating that important legacy while providing a foundation to help today’s makers succeed.”

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February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

BUSINESS NEWS

HOTEL UNION BREAKS GROUND ON HEALTH CENTER

BY BENJAMIN FANG Members of New York’s hospitality workers union will soon have a one-stop center for health care in Queens.

Last month, executives from the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council (HTC) joined the city’s top elected officials for the groundbreaking of its $75 million health center in Long Island City.

The three-story, 90,000-squarefoot facility will provide primary care, dental care, surgery, physical therapy, immunizations and more for the union’s 35,000 active members, 10,000 retirees and family members, all without copays or deductibles.

The facility is expected to open in 2021, and will replace the union’s clinic around the corner on Queens Boulevard.

“They have unlimited access to services,” said Dr. David Jacobson, CEO of HTC’s Benefits Fund. “At a time when there are too many forms and too much confusion in the system, our integrated model means that members can see all of their doctors, have their labs done and pick up their prescriptions in one location.”

According to Jacobson, 85 percent of members will be in and out of the facility in under an hour.

He said the site is designed to be “more than just a health center.”

“It’s a place where our members feel that they belong,” he said. “Our goal is not just to make people healthy, but to keep them healthy.”

HTC President Peter Ward said it’s “fitting” that the facility is in Queens, which has the largest population of immigrants in the entire country.

“It’s no accident that the majority of hotel workers in our union live in Queens,” he said. “They’re here because this is the place that so openly welcomes them, where they’ve found community, homes, schools, churches and all the things they need to raise their families.”

The groundbreaking event boast-

ed a guest list that included Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, Speaker Corey Johnson and new Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

The mayor said when he first visited HTC’s Brooklyn Health Center in Downtown Brooklyn when it opened in 2017, he “almost couldn’t believe” that members can get all their services in one location.

Ward noted that the Queens facility will exceed the Brooklyn site.

“I literally thought I was dreaming,” de Blasio said. “It couldn’t be this easy, it couldn’t be this good, but it is.”

At a time when presidential candidates are talking about the best way to achieve universal health care, the mayor said HTC is actually “taking the dream and making it real” for its members.

“All those healthy debates about the future of health care, I would say to all of them, just come see what Peter and all of you have already done,” de Blasio said.

Stringer echoed a similar message, noting that candidates should talk to Ward about health care.

“This model should be replicated throughout our city,” he said.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

CHAMBER BROKERS AGREEMENT TO SAVE NEIR’S

BY BENJAMIN FANG When Loycent Gordon made it public last month that Neir’s Tavern would be closing its doors on Sunday, he was hoping for a miracle.

“In the back of my mind, I still keep saying that something’s going to happen,” said Gordon, who owns the 190-year-old Woodhaven pub, said in an interview shortly after the announcement. “But I’m trying to face the truth, and that’s hard.”

The very next day, he got his miracle.

Thanks to support from government officials and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Gordon reached a handshake agreement with property owners Ken and Henry Shi to avoid the historic bar’s last call.

On January 10, hundreds of revelers packed Neir’s Tavern after hearing the good news. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who heard Gordon’s plea on the radio earlier that day, showed up to celebrate the deal.

“When I heard about what was happening with Neir’s, like everybody in this bar, I said this just cannot happen,” the mayor said. “We can’t lose this bar. We can’t lose this part of our history.”

“The hardest decision I’ve had to make” Gordon, a Jamaican immigrant and New York City firefighter who bought the bar 11 years ago, first informed his staff and customers of his plan to shutter the watering hole last Wednesday.

On the morning of January 9, he sent out an email and posted on Facebook that he had to come to the decision after failing to obtain an affordable long-term lease. He noted that exorbitant rent and insufficient sales led to financial losses every month.

Due to an increase in personal obligations, he wrote, he was also no longer able to put in the time to “overcome increasing business challenges.”

“I had to face the truth,” he wrote. “Neir’s Tavern is losing money and I don’t have the time to help to overcome it.

“I have no more money after Sunday,” Gordon added in his post.

“I’m sorry I let you down.”

Gordon said in an interview later that day that the landlords wanted to double his rent to more than $5,000 per month.

“I felt like I was alone,” he said.

“I didn’t want to tell anybody that I

was in trouble.”

Patrons reminisce on iconic bar’s history Pat Merola from Woodhaven and his cousin Nick Cuttonaro from Glendale were sitting at the bar when they learned that their regular spot was closing.

“We usually meet here on a Wednesday or a Thursday,” Merola said. “We have a couple beers, some hot wings and then we go to see a movie.”

Cuttonaro said he couldn’t believe it was closing.

“It’s a beautiful place,” he said.

“Where are we going to go?”

Eric Schleyer from Woodhaven said his father worked as a bartender at Neir’s Tavern from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. He recalled that as a child, he used to run down to the corner bar to deliver sandwiches.

As a film major in college, Schleyer said he shot a short film inside the tavern, and later worked with Gordon to create a small commercial for the bar.

“I got my foot in the door here,” he said.

Schleyer’s mother Christine, who first came to Neir’s in 1975,

recounted that there was a bowling alley attached to the building. She also remembered the party room upstairs that was often used for birthdays, christenings and other celebrations.

“We used to have Halloween parties up there in the 80s,” she said.

“It was great.”

The establishment first opened in October 1829 as The Blue Pump Room. Sitting across from the popular Union Course racetrack, which drew over 70,000 people to the neighborhood, the pub became a gathering spot for bettors.

In 1898, the tavern was purchased by Louis Neir, the bar’s current namesake, who added a bowling alley and ballroom to the property.

The watering hole stayed in the family until the late 1960s, when it was sold again and was renamed The Union Course Tavern. The name stuck until 2009, when it was sold yet again to Gordon, who led a restoration project for the bar’s interior and changed the name to Neir’s Tavern.

In addition to being one of the oldest bars in continuous operation in New York City, Neir’s was known for providing the setting for

Posing for a photo after a handshake deal to keep Neir’s Tavern open was reached.

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February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS scenes in the 1990 film Goodfellas, and later in the 2011 movie Tower Heist.

Patrons have long claimed that Bushwick-born actress and singer Mae West first performed at Neir’s, and that the bar was a favorite of Fred Trump, the current president’s father.

In 2016, Gordon and the bar’s supporters rallied to have the pub landmarked, but were denied by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Last September, Neir’s Tavern celebrated its 190th birthday with a street fair. A committee of residents kicked off a 10-year countdown, hoping to reach the establishment’s 200th birthday in 2029.

As Thursday wound down, Gordon believed he fell short of reaching the bar’s bicentennial.

Gordon reaches mayor on air On the morning of January 10, de Blasio was taking questions from callers on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show” for his weekly “Ask the Mayor” segment when Gordon called in. He explained his situation on the air, and asked how de Blasio could help save the historic business.

De Blasio, having read an article about the situation, wondered aloud why the landlords would “jack up the rent” on an 190-year-old institution.

“I think it’s really disrespectful of local communities and local culture,” he said. “So bluntly, the original sin so often is a greedy landlord.”

The mayor called on Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop to contact Gordon and offer a variety of tools to help.

That’s when Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, sprung into action. In an interview, Grech said he was “bothered to no end” when he saw the announcement that Neir’s Tavern was closing.

Grech invited Councilman Robert Holden, Assemblyman Mike Miller, SBS representatives, Gordon, and the property owners to meet at the chamber’s office in East Elmhurst and hammer out an agreement.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Loycent Gordon and Queens Chamber CEO Thomas Grech behind the bar.

“We locked the doors for twoand-a-half hours,” he said. “Nobody was going to leave until we had a deal.”

Grech said the meeting was challenging because the owners wanted full value, and Gordon wanted to have the lowest rent possible. But after both the city and the chamber offered to help both parties, they agreed to a five-year lease.

“We’re very excited about a lease that’s long enough to give both the owner of the building and the bar owner some breathing room to figure out next steps,” Grech said.

Holden said one obstacle was that the Shi’s did not have a certificate of occupancy for the building. Because the property was built nearly two centuries ago, the site predated and did not meet zoning regulations.

They were also missing other necessary paperwork.

As a result of lacking a certificate of occupancy, the owners could not obtain a mortgage. They borrowed money from relatives, but ended up with a lot of debt.

Holden said his office would help the property owners work with the Department of City Planning on the paperwork.

“I told him, ‘we’ll be your advo-

cates, whatever you need, we’ll try to help you,’” the councilman said.

“They liked that, and that seemed to break the ice.”

SBS also agreed to provide a “Love Your Local” grant to Neir’s Tavern, which includes 20 hours of expert advice with a business consultant and up to $90,000 for renovations.

Friday night’s celebration with the mayor

By Friday night, word had reached longtime customers that Neir’s Tavern was saved. Hundreds of people came out to celebrate, including the mayor and other local elected officials.

Behind the bar, de Blasio raised a glass of beer and praised Gordon as a “good man” for stepping up and running the historic bar for the past decade.

Grech encouraged patrons to come to Neir’s more often now that it has been saved from closure.

“Come for a beer, come for a burger,” he said. “Come to your local establishments and keep them viable.”

After the mayor’s departure, Gordon had time to reflect on the whirlwind day. He encouraged

struggling small business owners to “hold on” and seek help from the community.

As for customers, Gordon’s message was simple: thank your local business owner.

“They need emotional support because they’re struggling financially sometimes,” he said. “Those words really help us to keep trying.”

The Neir’s Tavern owner said he didn’t even know about the mayor’s radio segment until someone gave him the number to call.

“It was almost like a miracle, like something opened up,” he said.

“Out of so many people calling that show, they picked up my call just 48 hours before we closed down forever.

“It took 13 months to get a miracle when I wanted to quit a long time ago,” Gordon added. “This is as close to a miracle as a miracle could be.”

His goal is still to reach the bar’s 200th anniversary in October 2029.

Gordon said he’s heard people talk about throwing a parade and other extravagant ideas.

“I just want to make sure we’re still here,” he said. “That’s all that matters.”

13

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

COVER STORY

SBS COMMISSIONER SETS HIGH GOALS FOR 2020

BY BENJAMIN FANG

The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) had a very busy 2019.

Throughout the year, SBS connected 977 businesses with more than $76 million in financing.

It helped more than 21,000 customers connect with services, access capital and assist in other aspects that companies need to thrive.

“We focus on making sure we create opportunities for our small businesses,” SBS Commissioner Gregg Bishop told This Is Queensborough, “not only to start, but to grow.”

The agency launched eight new programs, including NYC Love Your Local, which helps long-standing businesses, WE Fund Credit, which offers lines of credit to women entrepreneurs, and BE NYC, an initiative to help black entrepreneurs.

SBS also continued its partnership with local chambers of commerce and business improvement districts (BIDs), which hosted more than 5,000 events and collected four million bags of trash last year.

Overall, the department has hosted 24 resource fairs, bringing agency officials directly to local neighborhoods so business owners can get the help they need quickly and easily, Bishop said.

Collectively, those fairs served more than 1,300 business owners who may not have had a chance to talk to city officials otherwise.

“We wanted to be more proactive and accessible as an agency,” Bishop said.

SBS will host resource fairs in every borough in 2020, starting with Staten Island in February and Brooklyn in March.

The commissioner said small business owners who will attend can expect to see regulatory and enforcement agencies and their staff there. They will get to talk to someone, get contact information, and learn how to navigate

14

Commissioner Gregg Bishop discusses the benefits of shopping local and investing in your community with a pair of customers on Small Business Saturday back in November. government rules and regulations.

Entrepreneurs looking to start their own company can understand the resources and services that SBS provides, including courses on how to launch a business, how to create a public strategy and how to market the business.

“They can expect to be treated as customers,” he said. “We want to make sure the city values their contribution to our economy by making the agencies accessible.”

As busy as SBS was in 2019, Bishop said 2020 will be another banner year, especially as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s last term comes to an end in 2021.

“We have two more years left,” he said. “We want to leave a legacy of supporting small business.”

One focus this year will be to make it easier for businesses to be in compliance and navigate government agencies. Bishop said SBS has already lowered

fines for small businesses by $40 million, and will continue to review and reduce regulations.

The department is also looking at additional technology to help businesses understand how to fix their violations and ease that burden.

“We’re working on those strategies,” he said. “More to come there.”

In February, SBS is releasing a report on and doing specific programming for black entrepreneurs, followed by a report and programming for women entrepreneurs.

Bishop said the city has come a long way to help minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). In 2008, the MWBE utilization rate in the city was at three percent. When de Blasio came into office, it was at eight percent.

In the last fiscal year, the city awarded 24.3 percent of its contracts to MWBE firms.

The mayor has set a goal of 30

percent.

“We still have a long way to go,” Bishop said, “but there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Last year, SBS was directed to certify 9,000 MWBE firms, a goal that they exceeded. Bishop said agencies have more tools and more discretion with contracting. MWBEs also have more access to low interest rates.

At fairs, including one coming up in April, SBS conducts specific outreach for MWBEs as part of a proactive strategy.

Firms can now come and start an application or begin a review.

In 2020, the agency is focused on connecting more firms to win contracts. According to Bishop, two-thirds of MWBEs who won contracts utilized a service from SBS last year.

“Our focus is to increase that number,” he said. “A lot of that is smart strategy on how to bid on contracts.”

On the local level, SBS is continuing its Neighborhood 360

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

COVER STORY Fellows program. The agency is in the process of recruiting new fellows now, the commissioner said.

The department has also been putting out commercial district needs assessments to understand where to make investments across the city. In Queens, SBS is focusing on how not only to improve the regulatory side, but also on creating a workforce that is able to take advantage of areas of growth in the economy.

Last year, SBS created a new program to prepare underrepresented New Yorkers for indemand data analyst careers. That goes hand-in-hand with Queens College, which graduates one of the largest classes of computer science students in the country.

The department is also looking to expand its commercial driving license program.

From Downtown Far Rockaway to Flushing and Long Island, Bishop said he wants the community to know there are opportunities in health care, technology, industrial manufacturing and the food and beverage industry.

“Helping residents develop skills in those sectors,” he said, “and being paid a decent wage.”

Bishop said SBS would not have been successful without the support of groups like the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

“The only way for us as a city to succeed is to have chambers that understand the challenges that Queens businesses face,” he said, “and be able to communicate with the city on how to partner on those challenges.”

A perfect example of their partnership is their collaboration to help save Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven, a 190-year-old bar that was on the brink of closure until the chamber, SBS and elected officials stepped in to help negotiate an agreement.

Bishop said part of the solution was having a chamber that understood businesses, had relationships with city agencies and being that connector.

“As a commissioner, it’s so refreshing to have a chamber that can function in that capacity,” he said. “SBS has a lot of work to do, but we’re excited to have a strong partner.”

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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

CHAMBER HOSTS CANDIDATES FOR QUEENS BEEP

BY SARA KREVOY As the special election for Queens borough president draws near, those vying for the position are taking the opportunity to present their vision for the borough to voters.

On February 4, the half-dozen hopefuls that will appear on the ballot on March 24 discussed the local business climate during a forum hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce at Antun’s in Queens Village.

Moderated by Spectrum News NY1 anchor Ruschell Boone, candidates fielded questions on topics that ranged from support of the local small businesses to the Amazon deal to their favorite res-

taurant in the borough.

“The businesses in this city are not looking for a handout, only for a real chance without roadblocks, red tape and barriers to succeed,” said Tom Grech, chamber president and CEO, an organization with nearly 90 percent of its membership representing businesses that have 10 or fewer employees.

“We respectfully implore all of our elected officials citywide and statewide, and all of those seeking elected office to walk a mile in the shoes of our business folks,” he continued.

Many of the candidates spoke of the borough president as a position that acts as a cheerleader for the county, especially when it comes to promoting the growth

of local businesses. The Queens borough president receives millions of dollars annually in city capital to be steered toward various community organizations and projects.

For Elizabeth Crowley, a former City Council member, the position of borough president provides an opportunity to procure more funding and resources for Queens, and invest them in business improvement districts (BIDs), cultural institutions and tourism.

“I would be the borough president that protects Queens’ sense of place,” she said. “I think it’s time we have a leader that is going to fight for our fair share, and work with the business community to create more jobs and

economic opportunity.”

Dao Yin, a community activist and small business owner currently serving as both secretary-general of The Shanghai Association of America and executive vice president of the Queens Residents and Voters Coalition, advocated for an influx of funds into the city’s budget for workforce training.

He also proposed a 10 percent property tax credit to home offices and small businesses, as well as the construction of an international convention center in Queens, much like Manhattan’s Javits Center.

“You need to give the companies, corporations and startups incentives” he said. “Right now

Pictured from left to right are Elizabeth Crowley, Anthony Miranda, Chamber CEO and President Thomas Grech, Councilman Donovan Richards, James Quinn, Dao Yin, Councilman Costa Constantinides and Chamber Board Chair Thomas Santucci.

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February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS all of your income is being paid to the landlord, and it shouldn’t be that way.”

Throughout the forum, Councilman Donovan Richards stressed the importance of investing in the borough’s infrastructure and zoning, while wrapping those commercial overlays with development projects that provide jobs and benefit the community as a whole.

He pushed for the establishment of a zoning task force, as well as implementing tax incentives for small businesses. Richards also indicated he would collect and analyze data on commercial districts in Queens, as well as strengthen BIDs that are doing the work to bolster businesses in their corridors.

“We are the gateway to the city,” he said, referring to the people that fly into New York City through LaGuardia and JFK airports. “We can use those opportunities to promote what’s happening here.”

Both Richards and his Councilman Costa Constantinides brought up the idea of making the county’s small business services more available to all Queens residents, in particular the immigrant community.

Constantinides said he would institute satellite offices and increase language services to ensure that communities all over Queens are able to utilize the resources provided by the office of the borough president.

For Constantinides, his candidacy is about reimagining and transforming the way residents see the administration.

“I think any elected official should have an open-door policy,” he said. “It’s about how accessible

you are to your community, and that’s how we’re able to amplify all of the businesses and cultural institutions of our borough.”

In a similar vein, retired NYPD sergeant Anthony Miranda, who as a small business owner was part of the Brooklyn and Bronx chambers of commerce, focused on initiatives that would ensure that any decisions in the borough incorporate input from parties with high stakes in the venture.

“A lot of people are feeling left out of the conversation, and the borough president’s office is an absolute tool in facing that,” said Miranda. “I’m about changing the process to where you have an actual voice at the table and your opinions can be respected.”

He proposed a council within the Queen’s Borough President’s Office that would give small business owners a say in the changes being made in their neighborhoods.

F o r m e r Queens assistant district attorney Jim Quinn agreed on the importance of creating a business council that would give leaders in both small and big business the chance to express their concerns.

He also spoke of fostering a more friendly environment for business owners by revising “smothering” regulations.

A strong concern for Quinn, based on his decades-long career in law enforcement, is the city’s

plan to close Rikers Island jails in favor of four borough-based facilities - one of which would

be built in Kew Gardens near Borough Hall - and the impact on residential communities.

“That is one of the main things that compelled me to run for Queens borough president,” Quinn revealed. “You can talk about all sorts of incentives to bring business to New York City and Queens, but if you don’t have a safe city, those businesses are going to fail.”

On the topic of Amazon’s decision to pull out of building its new headquarters in Long Island City, the candidates each acknowledged the economic benefits such a large corporation would have on Queens.

When asked what they would do if Amazon put in a bid on

their watch, Crowley, Quinn and Yin emphasized their inclinations to make the borough more welcoming, especially given the ripple effects that company’s presence could have on local business.

“As borough president, you don’t just have to put people together,” Yin said, “but you have to also bring businesses together.”

Alternatively, Constantinides, Richards and Miranda marked Amazon’s attempt at building its HQ2 in Queens as a “bad deal” that attempted to bypass conventional procedure, as well as failed to consider the needs of the communities in the county. They criticized city and state officials for not advocating on behalf of their constituents’ interest.

“The job of leadership is to ensure that you are referencing the interests of the people,” said Richards. “At the end of the day, Amazon is still building warehouses and expanding as we speak, but there’s nobody at the table to leverage those opportunities.

“If you’re not at the table, you are on the menu,” he added.

17

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

CHAMBER HOSTS QUEENSBORO FC

BY SARA KREVOY In March 2021, the world’s borough will host the inaugural season of its first-ever professional soccer team, Queensboro FC. “This is a very exciting opportunity for all of us here in Queens, whether you’re a small businessperson or large, whether you’re a corporation or not,” said Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, at a briefing on the venture last week.

As Queensboro FC gears up for its United Soccer League (USL) Championship debut, the Queens Chamber will assemble a business advisory committee in order to ensure input from local enterprises and community stakeholders.

“We want this team to be in everyone’s heart,” said QBFC partowner Jonathan Krane. “We look at this day as a kick off to building a larger relationship with everyone here.”

Also an integral part of QBFC’s ownership team is world-renowned Spanish footballer David Villa, who spent four seasons of his 20-year career in the sport playing for New York City FC. Though NYCFC plays at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, Villa is no stranger to Queens and its potential in the world of professional soccer.

For years, Villa has been running branches of his DV7 Soccer Acad-

“FOR

Queens Chamber staff with soccer star and Queensboro FC co-owner David Villa.

emy, bringing the finer points of the sport to youth all over the borough.

As QBFC develops as a franchise, Villa and his team will work to bring some of the world’s most talented athletes to the table, in addition to creating a youth academy program to grow and feed local talent into the league.

“Queens gives us everything,” Villa noted, “to help support kids who have a fierce dream, much like the one I had when I was a kid.”

According to QBFC chief busi-

ness officer Adam Behnke, an independent survey by team management found that one in three of the 2.3 million residents in Queens is a soccer fan.

The cross-cultural support for soccer and strong sense of hometown loyalty make Queens a desirable location for one of two expansion teams joining the USL Championship’s nationwide roster of 35.

These qualities also make a Queens professional soccer team ideal for local business partnerships in the form of sponsorships, field sign advertising and media campaigns that can help brands grow simultaneously with the club.

“For us, it’s so important to be synonymous with ‘community’,” explained Behnke, “and get to know all of you folks here, hearing your feedback and working together to make this team successful.”

From next March to October, QBFC will play in the league’s

US, IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO BE SYNONYMOUS WITH ‘COMMUNITY’ AND GET TO KNOW ALL OF YOU FOLKS HERE, HEARING YOUR FEEDBACK AND WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS TEAM SUCCESSFUL.

18

”

Eastern Conference. Thanks to a recent partnership with ESPN, all USL games are available for streaming on ESPN+.

In terms of a pitch, QBFC is still in the process of securing a site large enough to hold an 8,000-seat stadium. The team hopes to incorporate art, fashion, food and music into the atmosphere of its venue.

Details about the new stadium will emerge as they are solidified, but Krane pointed to York College as an option the franchise has been exploring for a temporary locale while QBFC gains enough fan presence to expand to a larger space.

“I think this is a wonderful moment for Queens,” said Councilman Francisco Moya at the chamber’s presentation. “For me, having grown up not far from here and learning to play soccer in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on any patch of grass we could find, to have someone like David, who’s a living legend, come to our borough and really open the doors, it’s an incredible feeling.

“I picture some kid playing out in Flushing Meadows Corona Park one day actually wearing the jersey for Queensboro FC,” he added.

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

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FEBRUARY IS FOR LOVERS...OF QUEENS EVENTS February celebrates AfricanAmerican history, romance, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, and eating ice cream for breakfast (it’s true, look it up).

In Queens this year, it’s also a time to enjoy Shakespeare, Brazilian cinema, fashion, Spanish-language divas and, of course, red meat. Lots of red meat. Please read this column for more info on fun in the world’s most diverse county in February.

Jan. 31-Feb. 9, The African Company Presents: Richard III. Forty years before the Civil War, the African Grove Theatre Troupe is ready to stage a production of Richard III in NYC. Then a major (and white) company scores a big star for its own version. The reaction involves tremendous emotion and poetry.

Titan Theatre Company presents seven shows. Queens Theatre, 14

YAMOTO

United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, titantheatrecompany.com.

Jan. 31-Feb. 14, The Divas Are Back. A comedy with music and dance celebrating Latina divas, including the coquette, flamenco artist, and glamour queen. Shows are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 4 pm.

Thalía Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, thaliatheatre.org.

Feb. 1-Feb. 29, Contract and Release. Brendan Fernandes, who works at the intersection of physical and visual art, presents dance inspired by the rocking chairs that Isamu Noguchi produced for Martha Graham’s “Appalachian Spring (1944).”

Dancers have to sit on them and remain balanced while working through a version of Graham’s famous “contract and release” exercise. Shows on

five Saturdays at 1:30 pm and 3 pm. The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., LIC, noguchi.org.

Feb. 7-Feb. 23, Jump. The Astoria Performing Arts Center presents 12 performances of this play about two sisters and a father who grapple with loss while an unexpected friendship blooms. It shines a light on how humans process traumatic experiences to find peace. 28-21 Steinway St., Astoria, apacny.org.

Feb. 8-December, Jay Jaxon: 40 Years of Fashion Design Brilliance. This exhibition celebrates Queens native Jay Jaxon, a fashion designer, Haute Couture designer, and costume designer.

Check out artifacts and objects from his personal archives as well as primary sources from the research of fashion scholar and guest curator Rachel Fenderson.

Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing, .queenshistoricalsociety.com.

Feb. 8-Feb. 9, Visions of Resistance: Recent Films by Brazilian Women Directors.

Watch 10 recent movies, including features and shorts as well as documentaries and hybrids.

Many focus on the lives of black Brazilians. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, movingimage.us.

Feb. 9, The Mark of Zorro, 5 pm. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra plays the original 1920 score of “The Mark of Zorro,” a silent masterpiece with swordplay, romance, and a bit of comedy. The Community House, 15 Borage Pl., Forest Hills, musicareginae.org.

Feb. 15-Feb. 16, Yamoto.

Dozens of musicians enter the stage with drums of various sizes and sounds all surrounding a 500-kilogram Odaiko drum. They start striking a Japanese taiko drum made from a 400-year-old tree with movements that use their bodies and souls to form a powerful surge of energy. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org.

Feb. 18-Feb. 23, Mid-Winter Break Family Programs.

Children’s workshops on five consecutive days at 1:30 pm.

Each day has a theme: George Washington Carver; Fantastic Flowers; Heart Worms; Bugging Out; and Watercolor. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, queensbotanical. org.

Feb. 22, Charcuterie Masters 2020, 6 pm. An unlimited tasting of more than 60 varieties of charcuterie from eight categories: Fermented sausage/Dry sausage; Country Ham/Prosciutto; Bacon, cold smoked, hot smoked, unsmoked; Hard Emulsified; Fat; Pate; Whole Muscle; and Freestyle. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., nyepicureanevents.com.

The monthly “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council. More info at itsinqueens.com.

20

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY 2/5, 2:30 TO 4:30 PM

DEVELOPING CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE Equip your leaders, teams, and staff to simultaneously advance the values and needs of your organization while adapting to the cultures touched by your organization.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 2/6, 9 AM

NEW CYBER LAWS FUTURE OF REGULATIONS

Our Technology Committee has assembled a team of experts to discuss the new cyber laws and the impact they’ll have on small business.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 2/7, 10 AM TO NOON

2020 TAXES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES SEMINAR

A seminar on handling taxes as a small business.

Register at queenschamber.org Business Center for New Americans 78-27 37th Avenue, Suite 1 Jackson Heights, NY 2/11, 10 TO 11:30 AM

FINANCING YOUR BUSINESS

This workshop will focus on getting on the right track for your start up or already operating business.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Business Outreach Center 96-11 40th Road Corona, NY 2/12, 9 AM

BUSINESS SPEED NETWORKING

A fast paced event which guarantees you’ll build your professional network and increase your business bottom-line.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY

2/12, 1 TO 3 PM

POP-UP CHAMBER

A range of services including information on starting your own business, business financing and access to capital, city and state M/WBE certification Stop by for a quick 15 minute consultation.

Queens Library 41-7 Main Street Flushing, NY 2/12, 6:30 PM

ST. JOHN’S PREGAME NETWORKING EVENT

A pre-game business networking opportunity followed by premium seating at the St. John’sProvidence game at 8:30 p.m.

Register at queenschamber.org $50 Per Person St. John’s University Faculty Club Hall Jamaica, NY 2/13, 8:30 AM

SELLING B2B WITH ALIBABA.COM

Utilizing online eCommerce as offered by Alibaba.com will allow you access to a whole new market for your products.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY

information on starting your own business, business financing and access to capital, city and state M/WBE certification Stop by for a quick 15 minute consultation.

Queens Library 95-06 Astoria Boulevard East Elmhurst, NY 2/20, 9 AM

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

A reminder of your specific benefits and committee recruitment.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 2/21, 9 AM

CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Critical thinking is a self-directed process by which one takes deliberate steps to think at the highest level of quality. Business leaders must be critical thinkers.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 2/26, 3 TO 6 PM

BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

Stop by for a quick 15 minute consultation. Tell security you are going to see Adam Orlansky at WeWork.

WeWork Queens Plaza 41-21 27th Street Long Island City, NY

Learn new Social Media and Marketing strategies to growth your business in 2020. Join us for an afternoon of networking where you can share your services and products..

Register at queenschamber.org Regency Party Hall 110-54 Springfield Boulevard Queens Village, NY

2/19, 9 AM

2/27, 2 TO 6 PM

Explore how incorporating these elements within your organization can provide significant value.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY

A complimentary commercial lease review where small business owners can speak 1-on-1 with an attorney.

Register at queenschamber.org Business Center for New Americans 78-27 37th Avenue, Suite 1 Jackson Heights, NY

2/19, 10 AM TO PM

2/27, 6 PM

2/18, 10 AM TO PM

POP-UP CHAMBER

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WITHIN NONPROFITS

POP-UP CHAMBER

A range of services including

COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE CLINIC

REAL ESTATE MIX AND MINGLE WITH A

PURPOSE

Join us for an evening of mingling and networking with our Real Estate Committee and enjoy amazing city views from the lavish Moon Bar. Register at queenschamber.org The One Boutique Hotel Moon Bar 137-72 Northern Boulevard Flushing, NY 2/28, 11 AM TO 1:30 PM

SMALL BUSINESS AND M/WBE INFORMATION FORUM

In this forum you can expect a business resource panel that will go over a variety of different topics relating to certifications, tables filled with different resources from the city, and a catered lunch.

Register at queenschamber.org Resorts World Casino Central Park Event Space 110-00 Rockaway Boulevard South Ozone Park 2/29, 4 PM

STEPS TOWARD ATTAINING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Join us for a special presentation from Dahiana Genao of the TD Bank Charitable Foundation on realizing the American Dream by purchasing your first home.

The day will feature networking opportunities, a business openmic, and a raffle from Centro Cultural Barco de Papel.

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Urzua Queens Center of Performing Arts 81-11 Roosevelt Avenue Jackson Heights, NY

MARCH 3/3, 2 PM

CONNECTIVITY IN 2020: FACILITY TOUR

Join the Manufacturing Committee for our first in a series of tours for an up close look at manufacturing in Queens.

Register at queenschamber.org Sussman-Automatic Mr. Steam 43-20 34th Street Long Island City, NY

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

DEALERS COLLECT, DONATE WINTER COATS

BY BENJAMIN FANG As temperatures begin to dip, a trade group representing New York car dealers donated tens of thousands of coats to New York Cares.

The Greater New York Automobile Dealership Association (GNYADA) announced on Friday that a record 195 car dealerships collected more than 90,000 coats for the drive. That represents nearly 10 percent of the total amount of coats donated to the citywide organization.

Since the car dealership association began its partnership with New York Cares in 2012, the group has donated nearly 60,000 coats for the needy, according to GNYADA president Mark Schienberg.

“The dealers, their employees and their customers each year see the importance of this cause that New York Cares has done for a long time,” he said. “It’s just so impressive to see the outpouring of compassion for people that are needy.”

Since November, dealerships have hosted collection sites in their showrooms, increasing the amount of coat donations. GNYADA is the largest multi-business group that donates coats, Schienberg said.

On Friday, the last batch of coats was loaded onto a truck parked in front of Koeppel Mazda in Jackson Heights. Koeppel collected the largest number of coats of all of the participating dealerships.

The coats were then delivered to the New York Cares warehouse in midtown for distribution.

Mark Lacher, dealer principal of Koeppel Auto Group, said the winter coat drive is something he and his team of 300 employees look forward to every year.

“It kicks off the holiday season and gets everyone in the spirit of giving,” Lacher said. “We love doing it every year.”

Gary Bagley, executive director of New York Cares, said donated coats come in batches of 50, 100 or 200, thanks to individual drives at dealerships, apartment buildings

22

Members of GNYADA pose in front of a truck loaded with donated coats collects at Koeppel Mazda.

and schools.

He noted that there are about 1.7 million people living at or below the poverty line in New York City.

“What we don’t want is, even if you’re not in the shelter system, we

don’t want you to have to decide between a warm meal and a warm coat,” he said. “We want to remove that need.”

The coats help children who might have stayed home without a

coat go to school, and seniors pick up their prescriptions.

“We could not do this without thousands of champions who come together in this really impressive way,” Bagley said.

this is...

The Business News of Queens & The Official Magazine of The Queens Chamber of Commerce

the Latest on the most infLuentiaL peopLe in queens Your inside scoop straight from the business community’s top leaders

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People To subscribe to this monthly, glossy magazine, visit thisisqueensborough.com or call BQE Media at 718-426-7200.

To place an ad, call BQE Media at 718-426-7200.

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

METS HOST FIRST BLOOD DRIVE OF 2020

BY SARA KREVOY

that you feel when you help somebody.”

A resident of Forest Hills, Ustoyev first began donating blood more than ten years ago when his high school hosted a blood drive.

Since then, he has given blood a total of six times.

Ustaev has Type O negative blood, a type that is always in high demand because it can be used for any patient.

Ustaev and donors like him of all blood types, play an imperative role in maintaining a necessary inventory of 2,000 units of blood daily for hospital patients in the New York and New Jersey area, a count that does not include the additional supply needed for emergency/trauma situations that occur.

One unit is equivalent to one donation, and the average patient receives a minimum of two units.

“It’s almost like instant gratification,” said Doreen Fiscina, NYBC’s account manager for the Mets. “Because you know that three days from today that blood is going to be in an area hospital helping somebody who is in need of it.”

Fiscina explains that after the drive, the donated blood travels to a NYBC lab in Long Island City or Westbury where it is tested, typed and screened. The donation is then separated into platelets, plasma and red cells. Once the blood is deemed safe for use, it is distributed as per the necessity of individual hospitals.

“Where else can you say that you helped save three lives in 15 minutes?” she added.

NYBC supplies blood to nearly

January is National Blood Donor Month, and the New York Mets are doing their part to increase the state’s blood supply.

On January 8, the Mets hosted the first of its semi-annual blood drives co-sponsored in conjunction with the New York Blood Center (NYBC).

Amassing 536 pints of blood at Citi Field last week, the winter drive consistently remains one of NYBC’s biggest over nearly two decades in which it maintains a partnership with the Mets.

The event comes at a critical time of year for NYBC (and all organizations that collect blood donations), as seasonal factors like holidays, vacations and weather conditions contribute to diminishing blood reserves nationwide.

This year, donors to the drive received a voucher for a pair of Mets home game tickets. NYBC also rewards its donors with a system that allows them to accrue points redeemable for gifts, as well as charitable donations in their name.

“People are giving part of their lives, and we’re kind of compensating them for that in a small way,” said Armando Echeverry, who oversees much of NYBC activity in Queens.

His job involves speaking at local institutions like colleges, high schools and churches about Mr. Met dons a white jacket. the importance of donating blood.

Though some potential donors is the exclusive provider for the blood, it’s also doing research,” may be deterred by a fear of neeNorthwell and Catholic health sys- Echeverry clarified. “Something dles, Echeverry says that the returns tems. that people don’t realize is that from contributing to a blood drive Queens is the most diverse NYBC is one of the major resource are far greater than any county in the U.S., making centers worldwide.” pinch on one’s arm, and the borough an important As one of the nation’s largest “WHERE ELSE CAN YOU SAY THAT that most people don’t region for the blood supply. community-based blood centers, YOU HELPED SAVE THREE LIVES IN come just for the prizes.

Certain blood traits and the nonprofit is a part of the effort “I thought I would diseases, like sickle cell to find cures for cancer and other 15 MINUTES?” - DOREEN FISCINA feel weird after, but anemia, are commonly diseases, including developing a I actually feel betinherited through particular safe and affordable Hepatitis B ter,” Allan Ustoyev ethnic backgrounds, and so vaccine. said while hooked up to an Alyx 200 hospitals in New York City, donors from all demographics are NYBC is home to the Lindsley machine, a system that collects Long Island, Hudson Valley and needed to facilitate specific match- F. Kimball Research Institute, as two donations of red blood cells New Jersey, as well as parts of es for recipients. well as the National Cord Blood at once. “There’s joy and comfort Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and “It’s not just about collecting Program at the Howard P. Milstein

24

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS National Cord Blood Center, the world’s largest public cord blood bank.

According to information from the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. However, less than 38 percent of the population is actually eligible to donate.

Eligible donors include those at least age 16 (with parental permission), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all FDA, in addition to State Department of Health, criteria.

People over 75 may donate with a doctor’s note.

“The most important takeaway from today is that blood can only come from another human being,” Fiscina emphasized. “It’s the only thing that Amazon Prime can’t deliver.”

The next blood drive at Citi Field will take place on July 15, but potential donors can schedule an appointment for ongoing local drives at nybc.org.

Forest Hills resident Allan Ustoyev gives blood at a donation event hosted at Citi Field.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella.

The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 6522071 with any questions.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members.

Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs.

BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services.

They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.

The BCNA is hosting a Commercial Lease

26

Assistance Clinic on February 27 in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

See page 21 for more details.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Fujianese from 2 to 6 p.m. . Requests for a consultation can be made at /forms.gle/ FsdGWzMv8bK5CWeM9. Once a request is submitted, a representative will reach out and confirm the time.

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members.

Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills. This month’s meeting is on January 29.

At a recent meeting of the Forest Hills Asian Association, the chamber announced a new jazz concert in August that it will be adding to its roster of cultural events, as well as plans to organize a neighborhood “walk” with the Department of Transportation.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

GATEWAY JFK

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella.

On Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

Community Board 9 voted last month to approve the GWDC’s popular street festival.

This year it will take place on Sunday, October 11.

Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.

GatewayJFK is seeking sponsors for banners on Rockaway Boulevard. Participating sponsors will have their logo displayed on the lower portion of the banners for one full-year.

Sponsoring the banner will cost $1,000, but sponsoring three or more banners costs $750 per banner. If interested, contact GatewayJFK at 516-730-3400 or scott@gatewayjf k.org.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@f lushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.

On February 18, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an open clinic to provide free one-on-one consultations to local business owners and entrepreneurs. It will take place at St. George’s Church at 13532 38th Avenue, Suite 25. Consultations will be conducted by an SBDC Business Advisor and are available in English, Mandarin, and

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members.

GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamCenterBID (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram) @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street.

The BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit.

The BID’s sanitation team is out on Jamaica Avenue 360 days a year. The BID offers marketing and promotion for the district, including a value card program, banner and rubbish bin sponsorship opportunities, and supports

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES business owners in opening or expanding their operations.

The Down to Earth Farmers Market is held every Friday on Parsons Boulevard between Jamaica and Archer avenues and every Saturday on 160th Street between Jamaica and 90th avenues until November 23.

The chamber advances the general welfare of JFK Airport by pooling resources as a collective voice.

The chamber will hold its general members meeting will take place on February 12 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Building 14 in 2nd Floor Conference Room A.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430 Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com jf kairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members.

The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation industry.

They build relationships among members and maintain an open forum that fosters a cooperative and competitive business environment.

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community.

The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

On February 9 from 10 to 11 a.m., the Partnership will host a planning meeting for this year’s LIC Springs! festival, which will take place on May 9. The planning meeting will take place at the New York Irish Center at 10-40 Jackson Avenue.

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FREE CONSULTATION 212.785.5115 DEV@MLDLEGAL.COM

Auto Accidents, Spinal cord Injuries, work related injuries, construction,accidents, wrongful deaths & brain injuries.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

• The Chamber’s Monthly Meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 11, at noon It will be held at Connolly’s Corner at 71-15 Grand Avenue.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth.

They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, nav-

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES igating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35

a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Upcoming events include: • Get Business from New York City and State Government on Thursday, February 27, from 10 a.m. to Noon - Learn about getting certified as a Minority/Woman Business Enterprise with NYC & NYS, what you will need to do to obtain government contracts, and how you can leverage your certification to get more business. It will take place at The Entrepreneur Space at 36-46 37th Street in Long island City.

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

businesses under its umbrella.

Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80 th streets.

Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview.

Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC. One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district.

The BID will host its Presidents’ Day Sidewalk Sales from February 14-17.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and

28

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses.

The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

The Alliance will host the Rockaway Polar Plunge on February 2 at 11 a.m. at Beach 67th Street.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members.

Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies.

RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project.

In 2014 RDRC rejuvenated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at the corporation’s office at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103

Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members.

The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue.

National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family owned shops some of them fixtures on the street for some 50 years.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000.

The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella.

The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue.

There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info. Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID

89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435 Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110 sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in 2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Avenue and 94th Avenue.

The Air Train Jazz takes place on Sutphin Boulevard every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Jamaica AirTrain Station.

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2

NEW MEMBERS MAJOR CORPORATE

Five Star Electric Corp.

101-31 101st Street Ozone Park, NY 11416 fivestarelectric.net With a professional team of over 1500 strong, Five Star has the diversified expertise to serve all electrical contracting needs for any construction project.

We bring integrity, reliability, experience, efficiency and safety to each job we do. Our company signature is bold, and it is confirmed by the multitude of successful projects we have completed since our inception.

NRG Energy

31-01 20th Avenue Astoria, NY 11105 nrg.com At NRG, we are the power industry’s leading company and we’ve grown from a power generator into an energy provider that powers homes and businesses throughout America. Our customer-focused mentality has led us to create technologies and tools that empower residents and organizations to think critically about their electricity.

CORPORATE

SBT Advantage Bank

136-33 37th Avenue, Suite 3C Flushing, NY 11354 sbtadvantagebank.com As a trusted neighborhood bank, Sterling Bank & Trust provides a comprehensive choice of banking solutions, innovative loan products and outstanding personal service to individuals, professionals, businesses and commercial customers.

Bijal Hospitality-Hyatt Place LIC & Fairfield Marriott LGA

27-03 43rd Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 hyatt.com As we continue to grow, we don’t lose sight of what’s most important people. Hyatt is a company that was built by family. It’s a workplace where coworkers become friends. Every day we care for our guests. Care is at the heart of our business, and it’s this distinct guest experience that makes Hyatt one of the world’s best hospitality brands.

INTRODUCTORY Elite Marketing Group Inc. 602 Park Avenue Woodbury, NY 11797 Mason Eye Surgery Center 105-12 101st Ave., Ozone Park, NY 11416 Airlogix 24-26 46th St, Astoria, NY 11103 airlogix.com ABC Health Service Registry, Inc. 133-40 37th Ave, 2nd Floor Flushing, NY 11354 The Alternative Board Brooklyn/Queens 671 Leonard Street, 1 Brooklyn, NY 11222 thealternativeboard.com/northernbrooklynqueens YASA (Young Adults with Special Abilities) 89-16 175th St., CF1 Queens, NY 11432 yasany.org Coldwell Banker-Kueber Realty 103-08 Metropolitan Ave, Queens, NY 11375 CBKueberRealty.com Peak Capital Advisors 900 Broadway, 803 New York, NY 10003 peakcapitalre.com Sumairu Booth 4028 College Point Blvd, Apt. 1101 New York, NY 11354 sumairubooth.com Walsh & Young Commercial Real Estate 34-18 Northern Blvd, B-6 Long Island City, NY 11101 walshandyoung.com Kilfinane Energy Consultants 110 Bayview Avenue, Northport, NY 11768 kilfinaneEnergy.com William A. Slutsky, P.C. 118-21 Queens Blvd, Suite 520 Forest Hills, NY 11375 wslawny.com

Blaze Pizza 187-12 Horace Harding Expressway Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 blazepizza.com Liberty Tax Service 77-02 Roosevelt Ave, Suite B Jackson Heights, NY 11372 liberytax.com Business Technology Early College High School 230-17 Hillside Ave, 3rd Floor Queens, NY 11427 btechnyc.org United Taxi Management Group Inc 43-10 39th Street, Long Island City, NY 11104 unitedtaxiny.com Queens Center of the Arts-Queens Underground 718 108-15 175th Street Jamaica, NY 11433 QueensUnderground718.com The Corporate Source 1225 Franklin Ave, Suite 335 Garden City, NY 11530 thecorporatesource.org Chabad of Rego Park 97-17 64 Road Rego Park, NY 11374 chabadrego.org

Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of Queensborough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2019. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,200 (3,116). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 633 (756), Mail subscriptions, 1,688 (1,604), Total 2,321 (2,360). Free Distribution By mail 0 (0), By other means 198 (200), Total 198 (200). Total distribution 2,519 (2,560), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 681 ( 5 5 6 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,200 (3,116), Percent paid 92.14 (92.18).

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

29

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Nash Roe

Fran Biderman-Gross

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu

Susan Browning

Mayra DiRico

Secretary

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Business Service Program Manager

Manager of Committee Development

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stephanie Baldwin Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow

Sal Crifasi Steven DeClara Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof

Howard Graf Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Maria Odysseus Jeffrey Owens Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago

Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson Henry Wan

Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS A&E Real Estate A&L Cesspool Services Corp A. Giannopoulos Architects AAA Northeast AARP Ackman-Ziff ADP Major Accounts Adria Hotel and Conference Center Aeroterm AFC Urgent Care - Howard Beach Alma Bank Amna Construction Corp AmTrust Title Andromeda Antun’s of Queens Village Apple Bank for Savings Apple-Metro, Inc. Ashnu International, Inc. Assured Environments Atco Properties Accounts Payable Aurora Contractors, Inc. AYC Properties LLC Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Bank of America Merrill Lynch Bank of Hope BankUnited, N.A Bellozino Bethpage Federal Credit Union Blink Fitness BNB Boyce Technologies Inc. Broadway Stages Capital One Bank Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Ciampa Organization Cipico Construction, Inc.

CityMD ClearCell Power Conference Associates, Inc Cord Meyer Development LLC Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Courtyard by Marriott CPEX Real Estate Crescent Properties, Inc Crown Castle Crunch - Rosedale Cushman & Wakefield Daroga Power, LLC E Central Medical Management East Coast Energy Group Ecosave Inc. Edge Auto Inc. Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Company EMU Health Enterprise Fleet Management eXp Realty: Andrew Wu Exquisite Construction Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) Farrell Fritz, P.C. First Central Savings Bank Flushing Bank Flushing Council On Culture & The Arts Forest Hills Financial Group Inc. GF55 Partners Global Industrial Goldenwood Property Advisors Goodwill Industries of New York & Northern New Jersey, Inc. Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association

Greenberg Traurig Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center (GMDC) Greiner Maltz Company of NY Gum Studios Hampton Inn by Hilton JFK Airport Hilton Garden Inn Long Island City New York HK Capital Manhattan View Hyatt Place Flushing INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Innovo Property Group International Asbestos Removal Inc. iRCM, Inc. James F. Capalino & Assoc.

Jaros, Baum & Bolles Jason Office Products JetBlue Airways Corporation JFA Insurance Brokerage & Associates Inc. JGM Construction Development, LLC Jones Lang LaSalle Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kimco Realty Corporation Klein Weath Management/Hightower Advisors Laffey Real Estate Laser Bounce of Brooklyn Inc. Lessing’s Food Service Management Levine Builders Lime Luxury Office Suites LLC Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc.

M&V Provision Company Madison Realty Capital Main Street Radiology Manpower Marriott International, Inc McBride Consulting & Business Medisys Health Network Mega Contracting Group LLC MetroPlus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade MicroGrid Neworks, LLC Molloy College Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp.

Muss Development LLC NEOLEDGE Neuman’s Kitchen Newtown Creek Superfund Site New York + Atlantic Railway New York Health Plan Association New York Oil Heating Association New York Restaurant Association New York Safety and Training NYC Ferry Operated by Hornblower Northwell Health OneGroup Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates Patrizia’s Italian Restaurant Petro Home Services Plastic Surgery of New York Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Assoc., Inc. Premier Paint Roller Co LLC Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Michelle Stoddart ResortsWorld Casino New York City michelle.stoddart@rwnewyork.com Jayson Simba Festival of Cinema NYC FestivalofCinemaNYC@gmail.com

COMMUNICATIONS Cody Fisher Blue Ox Marketing, LLC cody@blueoxmarketing.com Dayana Cabeza Be Growth Consulting contact@begrowthconsulting.com

ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Bill Staniford bill@staniford.com Michael Grella Grella Partnership Services mike@socialquityventures.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com

HOSPITALITY

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Laura Altimari Fine Taste NYC finetastenyc@gmail.com

MANUFACTURING

Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com

NONPROFIT

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com

REAL ESTATE

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie Cushman & Wakefield kevin.louie@cushwake.com

REAL ESTATE

(con’t.)

Michael Wang Politan Real Estate mwang121@gmail.com

TECHNOLOGY Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Fred Canone Telehouse mwang121@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com William Harris Edge Auto Rental william@edgeautorental.com

Priority 1 Security LLC QSIDE Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corporation Queens Center Mall Queens Public Communications Corp.

Radisson Hotel JFK RCG Mortgage Related Retail Corporation Rochdale Village Community Center Royal Waste Services, Inc. Russo’s On The Bay Safeguard Global Samuel Goldstein & Co PC Seagis Property Group, LP Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sive, Paget & Riesel P.C. Skyline Risk Management, Inc. SL Green Realty Corp.

Solomon Agency Corp.

Spring Hill Suites New York Jamaica/JFK Airport Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sussman-Automatic Corporation Target TC Electric Terrace On The Park TFCU TGI Office Automation Thales USA Inc. The Andy Li Team at Compass The Botanist The Durst Organization The First National Bank of Long Island The Heskel Group The Lovett Group The Marcal Group The Sweet Construction Group T-Mobile Treasure Island Storage TSC Traning Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vanguard Insurance Agency Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vic Kessler Signs LTD Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 LLC WellLife Network Wells Fargo WeWork White Coffee Corp Windstream Enterprise York College - CUNY Zara Realty

February 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 2 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

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