Confusion is rampant when the Big Apple business is trying to open under Phase Two as soon as next week wrestling with unclear guidance from Mayor Bill de Blasio – and whether they will be able to survive in a world affected by the corona virus.
“The State of New York came out with a few guidelines, but does the city follow that or does it have its own guidelines?” asked James O’Brien, co-owner of the Brooklyn Popina restaurant, Wednesday.
“It’s not that I just sit back and relax [city] the website is looking for a guide every day, I’m here working to save this business, “Cobble Hill restaurant owner told The Post.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that New York City was on the right track to enter Phase Two of the state’s four phase reopening plan next Monday, but de Blasio was still not committed to that date and continued to say only that the meal plan out of town will come “soon.”
Rita Ragone, a celebrity beauty expert who operates a Midtown hair salon that can eventually be reopened for business in Phase Two, complains, “When the governor and mayor don’t see firsthand the reopening date for the service industry such as a salon … it really becomes a frustrating problem for us . business and livelihood.
“So many who hang in balance decide to open or leave New York City forever. But for those of us who are willing and more than ready to open, we can’t order, can’t re-employ employees, and our business plan is in limbo, “Ragone said.” That’s just ridiculous. “
Restaurants and bars can be opened for outdoor dining under Phase Two, as well as office space, real estate services, in-store retail, barber salons and hair salons, car dealers and houses of worship – all with limited capacity.
“It’s frustrating because we can’t really prepare,” said Victor Ortega, co-owner of Black Iron Burger, who owns two outposts – one in Midtown and the other in Park’s Slope Brooklyn, where the mayor has two houses.
Andrew Rigie, head of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, told The Post, “There is tremendous uncertainty and even despair among many restaurant owners who can no longer manage financial burdens because they are closed by the government.”
“Getting outdoor dining requirements launched as soon as possible so they can plan is very important, but small business owners also need to know when they will be allowed to open so they can plan and start bringing some money into their business,” Rigie added.
De Blasio had previously said the Big Apple restaurant would be able to temporarily make a seat on the sidewalk, in the parking lot and on the open streets during Phase Two – and had said that the city would identify new open streets on commercial strips with a large number of restaurants and bars – but still haven’t revealed the location of the streets.
Abi Yavuz, 41, owner and manager of Verde, a restaurant on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn said that Smith Street, known as Brooklyn’s Restaurant Row, is a natural contender for turning into an open road.
“From Union Street to Atlantic Avenue, there are 80 percent of restaurants,” Yavuz said, explaining that four tables he could only put six feet away in the backyard of his restaurant would not be enough.
“Nobody can make money,” he said.
With more space to lay tables, Yavuz said he could serve up to 40 people, not just a maximum of 16 people in the restaurant’s backyard.
“At least if we have outside seating in front of the restaurant I can put 10 tables for four, which means 40 people, so I will not lose 60, 70 percent of the business,” he said.
The de Blasio administration says that one of the 26,000 Big Apple restaurants can utilize roadside seating as long as they comply with city guidelines and register online through the self-certification process.
Stephen Elkins, owner of Forest Hills Station House, a bar in Forest Hills, Queens, said that the “uncertainty” around the reopening process was “extraordinary.”
“It’s terrible just trying to find a way to do business. I don’t understand why the mayor doesn’t want to use stamps [the Phase Two date], “Elkins said, adding that businesses in watering holes had dropped 75 percent.
“I am only excited for Phase Two because it makes us closer to Phase Three when we can have a crowd in a 50 percent capacity room.”
Those in the real estate industry are just as excited.
“We are ready for this because it has opened up in our markets in California, Texas and Florida. We are ready for it, we are queuing for everything we need to do,” said Douglas Elliman president Scott Durkin.
“It would be great if the state and local governments in New York would decide that we would reopen on Monday,” Durkin said, noting that the city’s real estate world was ready to boom.
“Among our agents who are ready and try a little to get back to work, they are encouraged by their buyers and sellers to return to work because everyone has needs,” he said. “We have never seen a hidden demand like this.”
Retail stores also can’t wait to welcome customers back.
Arthur Lee, a manager at The Gold Standard, a jewelry and pawnshop in Forest Hills, Queens, said, “A large part of our business is helping people who need cash, and I love dealing with them more personally. and respectful ways, where there are fewer obstacles. “
He hopes the city will move to Phase Two on Monday so he can really allow customers to shop to try jewelry too.
Lee claimed that the mayor “wasn’t committed to many things, and when he did it was usually the wrong choice.”
“I don’t think in the end he will agree on Monday. I think he will push it to the first week of July. But we will see. We watch, “Lee said.
Linda Pagan, owner of The Hat Shop in Soho, echoed those words about de Blasio, saying, “He doesn’t seem to take decisive action. This can be frustrating. “
“I just want to do it the right way, in an organized way, so we can put it behind us and then go back to business,” Pagan said.
Additional reporting by Lia Eustachewich
