Small businesses in New York City are the greatest problem solvers in the world. Since Governor Cuomo issued his "New York State on PAUSE" executive order that began on March 22, we have had ample time to think about how we can best prepare to operate safely in this new environment. We are prepared to take every precaution necessary to make our employees and customers feel comfortable and safe. These employees and customers in many cases are our families, friends and loved ones -- relationships we have cultivated through blood, sweat, tears, and great sacrifice. The last thing we would do is risk people’s health and safety. Now, it is time to reopen.

As we enter our tenth week of lockdown, New York City’s small businesses are hanging on by a thread. Many have already decided the financial burdens are insurmountable and they will not be re-opening. Government loans and programs missed the mark entirely when it came to covering fixed expenses.

We have heard over and over “small businesses are the backbone of our economy.” Yet small businesses have been left completely in the dark. They don’t have access to high powered lobbyists and won’t benefit from the massive federal stimulus packages. We saw this play out after 9/11, the crash of 2008 and Super Storm Sandy. We will not stand on the sidelines again.

Our small business community cannot survive a limited opening. We cannot endure any further regulations. So many of us operate on paper thin margins. Even when we operate at capacity, so many of us make the impossible decisions every Friday of what bills we can pay and which ones we must continue to float. A limited or phased opening is not an option. The reality of such a situation will put us even further in debt. Even the most fiscally conservative small business has depleted most of its savings.

Everything we have worked and sacrificed for is at stake, we are calling upon our elected officials to act with great urgency to get our local "mom & pops" fully open. This is frightening to say the least, as businesses throughout the country teeter on bankruptcy and unemployment rolls hit record highs.

Small businesses have done our part to flatten the curve. In response, we have watched our life savings disappear, our children’s future put in jeopardy, our retirement slip away -- all while the larger corporate stores have been allowed to operate and make changes. Consumers have been shopping responsibly at those locations, yet somehow we are expected to believe small businesses can’t operate under the same circumstances? 

Small business needs to open, too, and we need to open now! Let customers decide if they are comfortable shopping, dining, or visiting their favorite “mom and pop.” Give them the choice.

If you agree that small businesses MUST open as soon as possible rather than wait for authorization and more regulation from the State and City, please sign our petition. Let’s send a clear, united message to the powers that be on where Staten Islanders stand.

Sincerely,

The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
The Staten Island Board of Realtors
Staten Island Business Outreach Center
Staten Island Chapter of The American Institute of Architects
Home Improvement Contractors of Staten Island
The Building Industry Association of NYC, Inc.
Richmond County Referral Source
The Bucks Business Network
The South Shore Business Improvement District
New Dorp Lane Business Improvement District
Executive Club of Staten Island