By: Benyamin Davidsons
A new survey by a local industry group has a gloomy forecast for Brooklyn businesses. The majority of Brooklyn’s small businesses will struggle to survive the Fall season due to coronavirus-related losses, as per a Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce survey.
“The small businesses that make up our neighborhoods and sustain our communities are facing unprecedented economic challenges, requiring immediate support, grants and urgent rent relief if they are going to survive,” said Randy Peers, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
As reported by the NY Post, the Chamber questioned 234 mom-and-pop shops in the borough. Half of them stated they had revenue losses of 50 percent or more during the summer. Close to 30 percent couldn’t pay rent in August, about 40 percent owe back rent, and 53 percent said “they would struggle to stay open during the next three months.” More than 80 percent said cash grants would be vital to keep them from permanently shuttering their businesses. Moreover, 70 percent of those surveyed supported rent relief and 50 percent stressed the need for low-interest loans.
New York City’s $49 million program to help 200,000 small businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic was depleted months ago. The city council has asked for $500 million more. The White House has touted another stimulus plan, but it has yet to be released.
Even after the city started reopening, the foot traffic usually generated by larger venues which usually trickles down to the smaller shops has been absent as amusement parks, museums, and the theatres remain shuttered. Also, tourism is non-existent, and large events and parties remain cancelled.
Maya Haddad Miller, co-owner of the Brooklyn Beach Shop on the Coney Island boardwalk, said her sales are down 80 percent. “Once some of us were able to open in reduced capacity it didn’t cut it,” she told The Post. “We rely on foot traffic we get from the amusements there wasn’t any of that. There was no tourism,” she said. “I still need to pay my rent. I’m trying to figure it out,” she added.
Miriam Milord and Dara Roach, who run BCakeNY in Prospect Park, were designing elegant custom cakes for weddings and other big events until the start to the pandemic.
