THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS
GRANTS HELP KEEP ROCKAWAY MERCHANTS AFLOAT
BY KERRY MURTHA
Steve Cohen’s deep coffers may not get a pennant for the New York Mets, but the millions the hedgefund manager recently donated to Queens businesses scored a win for the local economy. “As the owner of the Mets, we are proud to support small business owners during this difficult time,” Cohen said in a statement referring to the $17.5 million grant program he made possible earlier this year. “Just as they have supported the team and the community over the years, we hope this donation brings them some relief.” The program is helping 175 restaurants, retail shops and personal service businesses in the borough rebound from the pandemic’s devastating economic impact. Grants were awarded to merchants located in LMI Queens zip codes and in COVID-19 “hardest hit” zones. Recipients employed 20 or fewer full-time employees in 2019 and earned gross revenue of $1 million or less during that year. Qualifying restaurants were required to earn
less than $3 million in gross revenue for the same time period. “The Queens Small Business Grant Program has been vitally important in keeping so many of our small businesses open, businesses that support thousands of families through local hiring,” noted Borough President Donovan Richards, who helped launch the initiative. Tom Grech, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and one of the program’s administrative partners, called the measure “a grand slam.” The chamber processed approximately $3.6 million in grants, with each business receiving an average of $20,000. And while funds were dispersed throughout the borough, Grech said he made sure businesses on the Rockaway peninsula were well represented. “We wanted to focus our efforts there because they lost a whole summer season,” said Grech, “a loss that seriously impacted the area.” Indeed, the aid was sorely needed by small business owners who populate the beachfront commu-
Claudette, the namesake of Cuisine by Claudette.
nity. From buying new equipment to sprucing up their space, five of the Rockaway grantees shared how their newfound money is helping them gear up for better days ahead.
Elegante Pizzeria
92-01 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Frank Amato, co-owner of Elegante Pizzeria, is making plans to upgrade the kitchen of his corner eatery, where he puts in regular 12-hour shifts to make and serve an average 100 pizza pies a day. “We’re going to take out our old lighting and put in LED lights in the kitchen and behind our counter,” said Amato. Two new stoves, with additional burners, will expedite his entree orders, a must for the takeout dishes that have kept him in business for the past year. “We’re still at 50 percent capacity but we have to balance how many people we can have seated with our walk-in customers,” he said. “The grant was quite a relief and will help us make improvements that will get us ready for a busy summer.”
Fat Cardinal Provisions 196 Beach 92nd St.
Pictured from left to right are Fat Cardinal Provisions co-owners James Otton, Thomas Quinn and John Pagano.
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Extra funding has allowed Thomas Quinn, co-owner of Fat Cardinal
Provisions, to hire an additional baker, full-time counter server and kitchen assistant. The artisanal bakery, famed for its custom made cakes, doughnuts and cookies, is a favorite among locals. “Having more help in the store will free up our time to work on our bigger orders,” said Quinn. “We really took a hit when so many weddings, christenings and other special occasions were canceled, but that business is starting to pick up.” Quinn also purchased advertising space in the local newspaper and bought several inviting frames to showcase photos of the owners’ best desserts around their storefront. “These are things we wanted to do to enhance our business, but couldn’t afford to do before,” he said.
Cuisine By Claudette 143 Beach 116th St.
Yarden Flatow, co-owner of Cuisine By Claudette, said he and his business partner and mother, for whom the Rockaway staple cafe is named, will improve the outdoor seating area for summer diners. “We’re going to add a new sidewalk deck and enclose the area with greenery and flora,” said Flatow.
