Upper East Side Local Businesses During Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Hello:

Community Board 8 is trying to keep businesses and residents connected with a listing of all the open businesses in our community during the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). While this is the most up to date list that we have, we encourage you to check with the businesses as things are quickly evolving.

Please help us with filling out this form < https://forms.gle/wtWVCZgr2bLxt8dU8 > to include other businesses that you know are still open during this time.

For any questions or updates on this, please email [email protected] with the email title "Local Businesses".

Finally, at the bottom of this page, we'll be maintaining a list of resources for businesses and updating it when we discover more.

These are very trying times, but we'll be here for you however possible.

Thanks!

Will Brightbill
District Manager

LINK TO LIST OF LOCAL BUSINESSES OPEN DURING THE CORONAVIRUS
< https://bit.ly/2QwVxpw >Additional Resources for Local Businesses

COVID19 Reopening Guidance from the National Restaurant Association

A $484 billion COVID-19 relief package aimed at helping small businesses stay afloat became law. This latest lifeline to businesses was a bipartisan measure that pumps $320 billion into the Paycheck Protection Program so that smaller companies can continue to pay their workers during the pandemic. More information on PPP including how to apply will available from the Small Business Administration. Updates: 

The massive relief package also has funds $100 billion for public health:

• • $75 billion to reimburse health care providers for health care related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to the coronavirus outbreak; and

  • $25 billion for expenses to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests to effectively monitor and suppress COVID-19.

You can read Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act at Congress.gov. At least one additional larger and more comprehensive relief package is expected to be proposed in Congress over the next couple of weeks, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said he will prioritize including funds for state and local economies.

There is a new grant program that will began accepting applications on Monday, April 20 at 3 PM. The Save Small Business Fund, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, will be offering grants of $5,000 to small businesses in economically vulnerable communities. Eligible businesses employ between 3-20 employees (including owners) and have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, and to access an application when it becomes available, click here. 

New York State issued additional guidance on which businesses are essential. It also  allows NON-essential retail establishments (as defined by the Empire State Development Corporation) to fulfill delivery orders placed remotely via phone or online.

Governor Cuomo has extended the NY PAUSE executive order until April 29. Schools and non-essential businesses will remain closed at least until that date.

The Manhattan Chamber is hosting weekly webinars to provide the latest Covid-related updates for small business owners. Experts will answer your questions on topics such as new government instructions or resources that are available. For the foreseeable future, these weekly webinars will take place every Tuesday at 2:00 pm.

Farmers Markets are open. Not only can you get healthy food, but you support the local farmers who need the green markets sales to stay in business. GrowNYC lists information about the Green Markets here and lists stands that allow online ordering with curbside pick-up and a description of what each farmstand sells here. Gift cards to some farmstands are also available.

As part of the Federal CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program loan applications opened for small businesses who apply. There is $350 billion available to companies and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees. NOTE: the Mayor describes this funding as first-come, first-serve!
The loans become grants if the funds are used for payroll. Effectively, this is a stimulus plan-- but banks are administering it, and so naturally there is an application process. Here's a sample Paycheck Protection Program application form that may be helpful in getting you started (PDF). The Borough President has taken the flow chart created by the U.S. House Small Business Committee (Chaired by New York’s own Nydia Velázquez) and created this web page for clarity on how under-500 organizations can apply.

Thryv’s Foundation Small Business COVID-19 Grant Program is offering grants to small businesses. Click here for more information. Grants are first-come, first served. Applications are due April 30.

CDC:

For the CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers, click here.

For the CDC Business Planning Checklist for Pandemics, click here.

NYC Small Business Services:

For Assistance & Guidance for Businesses Impacted Due to Novel Coronavirus, click here.

For updated guidance for small business owners from New York City’s Small Business Services, click here.

On Saturday, March 14, the City of New York’s Department of Small Business Services updated its coronavirus information for businesses. Please click here to download the updated fact sheet

For an emergency planning checklist for small businesses, click here.

Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero-interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit. The City is also offering small businesses with fewer than 5 employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees. To learn more about the City's Financial Assistance for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 please click here.

U.S. Small Business Association:

SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19), to learn more click here.

The Small Business Administration has put together information on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. To read it, click here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration confirmed that business owners who have already applied for its Economic Injury Disaster Loans MUST REAPPLY using a revamped website: covid19relief.sba.gov/#/.The Carnegie Corporation and Bloomberg Philanthropies have created the NYC COVID-19 Response and Impact Fund which provides a pool of $75 million to help small and mid-size arts organizations with interest-free loans. Organizations must be NYC-based, have an annual operating budget of under $20 million, be a 501C3 in good legal standing, and have a track record for robust service to the people of New York. For more on donating to, or receiving help from, the consortium fund go to NYCommunityTrust.Org. 

The Borough President’s office has reported that there are scams. Emails come from sba.com. That is not the correct website for the Small Business Administration. The SBA’s address is sba.gov. Be careful about opening emails.

Vox.com has an article with answers to nine questions about how to get stimulus funds. Click here for more information. 

For information on the Economic Injury Loan Emergency Advance, a program that provides up to $10,000 in temporary funds to businesses, click here. 

For information on bridge loans of up to $25,000 for those businesses that have a relationship with an SBA Express Lender, click here. 

For information on SBA debt relief for small businesses, click here. 

Local BIDs and Civic Groups

For small businesses who wish to stay up to date on industry-specific information from the East Midtown Partnership, please fill out this form.

The Madison Avenue BID recently conducted a survey of stores that are still open on Madison Avenue. To learn more, visit their page here.

The NYC BID Association Position Statement on COVID-19 Response

The East Sixties Neighborhood Association are continuing their efforts to help local businesses, employees, and residents deal with the quickly changing landscape. Many local markets & restaurants are offering take-out and delivery during the COVID-19 shutdown. Find that list online, here.

NYPD

Here are some safety tips for small business owners from our local NYPD:

Leave lights on inside and out

Check in at the location as often as possible

Ask neighboring stores, if open, to keep an eye on closed locations

Arm their alarm systems

Ensure cameras are recording and are positioned correctly

Doors and windows are locked, gates down and locked

Cash resister empty and left in the open position

Items of value removed from the display or from the view of the sidewalk

Sidewalk gates are properly secured

Call 911 for any suspicious persons

Coronavirus -- Potential Availability of Insurance for Business Losses

There are many unknowns regarding the Novel Coronavirus. But what is clear is that the virus is adversely impacting businesses, large and small, in unprecedented ways.

Every day, numerous events are being canceled or postponed -- sporting events, concerts, Broadway shows, conferences and meetings -- over fears about spreading the virus. These cancelations and postponements impact many businesses that depend upon these events, from airlines and hotels to local food and souvenir vendors. In addition, many businesses are suspending their operations for a period of time in an effort to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. Read More

Resource guide from TechNYC: 

This resource guide shows what other companies are doing to address Coronavirus.

Governor Cuomo Announces All Nonessential Employees to Work from Home 

Governor Cuomo announced a March 20th that, pursuant to his emergency powers, he is ordering non-essential businesses to direct their employees to work from home, effective 8pm Sunday, March 22. Please note that many of the businesses that are operating on in our community are considered essential services by New York State, including:

• • grocery stores including all food and beverage stores
  • pharmacies
  • convenience stores
  • restaurants/bars (but only for take-out/delivery)
  • doctor and dentist offices
  • funeral homes
  • banks
  • food processing, including all foods and beverages
  • *Dry cleaners are no longer considered essential businesses in the revised definition.*

For a complete list of businesses that have been designated as essential by New York State, please click here.

The NYC Hospitality Alliance Group

The NYC Hospitality Alliance Group provides a great deal of information. They have been doing a great job of updating everyone and fighting for relief for bars/restaurants.

For their 9 Point Mitigation & Support Plan, click here.

For their Coronavirus Workplace Considerations, click here.

Subscribe to their newsletter here: https://www.thenycalliance.org/

SLA Guidelines:

https://sla.ny.gov/Restrictions-in-Response-to-COVID-19

Attention Liquor License Applicants and Attorneys

As you may know, Community Board 8 Manhattan is conducting its business remotely right now. Until further notice, we ask that whenever possible to email us 30-Day Standardized Notice Forms and application materials for alcohol licenses instead of sending them to us physically.  If you have recently sent us a 30-Day Standardized Notice in the mail, please scan and email them to [email protected] as soon as possible, just in case.

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

Telecommunications and Internet Connection

AT&T, Comcast, Charter Communications, and Verizon are among many providers opening up their services to help ease people's burdens during the coronavirus pandemic. The pledge is made with the following commitments (1) not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; (2) waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and (3) open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them. Click here.

Support Local Artists

New York Foundation for the Art lists emergency grants for artists during COVID-19, click here.

Creative Capital has a list of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak, click here.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS' COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund will help entertainment professionals meet coronavirus-related expenses and other challenges brought about by the evolving pandemic, click here.

Final tip: Buying gift cards from businesses or artists you usually patronize is a great way to support them in a time of need, and can eventually be redeemed for service or products you love.