STATEN ISLAND, NY – The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce recently brought New York City’s Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to the table to help minority business owners who are still suffering from the losses of the pandemic and now operating in a tough economy. , inviting a financially inclusive nonprofit organization to hear the concerns of several local entrepreneurs.
“Small business owners are in a panic,” North Shore restaurateur Edward Gomez told the panel about the struggles he’s faced running his restaurant Da Noi. “This is my life’s work, a labor of love, something I’ve been doing for 23 years. I employed over 100 people and operated eight restaurants. I have three establishments now and I feel like we are struggling to get there. Something has to give.”
“Small business owners are in trouble,” Edward Gomez, owner of Danao’s Restaurant, told the panel. (Photo by Marino PR)
Faced with higher costs, supply chain issues, and declining sales as customers spend less due to inflation, Gomez was not alone in his worries.
“The cost of everything is absolutely astronomical,” says Dea Felici, owner of Vin, The Richmond, Don Chech and The Belvedere Club. “The cost of food has doubled and in some cases tripled and the cost of other things we use every day like gloves and paper towels is through the roof. We have to lower our prices, or we won’t get customers, but we can’t just eat these costs. S.B.A [Small Business Administration] Loans were great, but now is the time to start paying them back. We cannot delay it any longer.
Bobby Diggie, owner of O’Henry’s Public House on Minthorn Street, said he agrees.
“Having this conversation creates a lot of frustration,” he said. “We applied to every program — every grant and loan under the sun — and we didn’t get one. We’re not sure if we’ll be open in December, that’s the way it is. And the agencies that are supposed to be helping are completely cut off from who they’re trying to serve.”
Bobby Digg, owner of O’Henry’s Public House, Michelle Chen, owner of Lil’ M Bubble Tea, and Vicina Capelan, owner of Kiara’s Beauty Salon, discuss the issues they’ve faced since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Marino PR)
The Entrepreneurship Forum was hosted by LISC NY and served as the third stop on the organization’s “Small-Owned Small Business Listening Tour,” a program designed to highlight the challenges facing minority entrepreneurs in the five boroughs. Together, a group of about 10 Staten Island business owners pleaded for more support from economic development officials and state and city lawmakers.
“We tried to apply for PPP, but we were denied,” Michelle Chen, owner of Lil’ M’s Bubble Tea in Castleton Corners, told the story of her failure to use the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. “I had to use my life savings instead. Getting capital for business is difficult; There are so many small businesses out there that need help.
During the event, other black and brown business owners called for immediate and targeted action to stabilize and support Staten Island’s business community, citing employee retention, rent increases, public safety and more.
During a “Minority-Owned Small Business Listening Tour” organized by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and LISC NY on Tuesday, a group of about 10 Staten Island business owners pleaded for more support from economic development officials and state and city lawmakers. (Photo by Marino PR)
“Our Bay Street has always been plagued with crime, but after the epidemic it seems to be out of control,” said Vicina Capelan, owner of Kiara’s Beauty Salon, citing recent break-ins and drug activity in front of her. Shop. “The block has become so dangerous, I’m considering breaking the lease and moving out. Now we’re dealing with business owners, but that’s probably the worst part.
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce President Linda Baran advises on such problems, while LISC NY Senior Executive Valerie White asks business owners a series of questions to better gauge Staten Island’s business climate.
“We decided to start this tour around the city because we want to hear about your challenges and successes,” White said. “We know it’s strong, and we want to make sure you’re on the platform of economic equality.”
Baran added, “We have partnered with LISC NY on several projects to support small businesses over the years, and we know firsthand their commitment to helping minority-owned businesses survive and thrive. We are pleased to once again partner with Staten Island’s minority-owned business community on this listening tour, allowing their voices to be heard and their concerns to be seen.
LISC NY convenes similar events in Queens and Manhattan, partnering with economic development officials, elected leaders and local businesses to ensure that the voices of New York’s minority business community are heard and that their businesses remain central to the fight for economic recovery.
Sen. Andrew Jay (R-Staten Island) made the statement. “Thank you to LISC NY and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce for bringing together these powerful members of our community and giving elected officials a platform to share their experiences. I will continue to support these small business owners and amplify their voices, so they can continue to provide goods and services and representation in our community.
Councilwoman Camilla M. Hanks (D-North Shore) said: “Staten Island has an extremely small minority and women-owned small business and entrepreneurs, and it’s critical that they have the support, knowledge and resources to succeed. Listening tours and partnering with the SI Chamber are great ways to understand the needs of our small business owners, especially as many are still struggling with the effects of the pandemic.
