Call it blitzkrieg marketing or whatever you will, but with the intention of re-establishing Bayside and The Bell Boulevard Business Corridor as “THE” destination everyone thinks of first this season when going out to shop or dine, The Bayside Village Business Improvement District’s (BID) recent consecutive weekends of socially- conscious, retail-promoting, pedestrian-building, music-filled festivals just pulled Bayside out from behind our neighboring business districts. We outperformed Douglaston, Little Neck, Great Neck, Astoria, Flushing, Whitestone, Austin Street, Fresh Meadows and Sunnyside in social and street activity and draw for consumers.
Like the “Sea Biscuit” of BIDs, Bayside just pulled way out from the back of the pack to rebuild an audience and create an excitement about Bell Boulevard and Bayside that the local businesses and community leaders have all been asking for, and that’s been long overdue.
It’s been over 17 years since Bayside has had a permit issued for any type of festival or block party, and thanks to the guidance of Susan Seinfeld and Jerry Inanecce from Community Board 11, the Community Affairs officers of Captain Ronald Leyson’s 111th Precinct and Chanel Green of the Street Activity Permit Office, the permit process went smoothly, the events were executed flawlessly and people were literally dancing and singing in the streets of Bayside again.
This month we’ll be following through to highlight the season with a series of exclusive, velvet roped fashion shows.
A very special thanks needs to be extended to Keil Bros Garden Center & Nursery for their generous help with our LIRR Station Beautification Program that helped return the station park back into an attractive “Green Space.”
So, all in all you’d have to admit, “Bayside’s Back” and on the rise.
Gregg Sullivan is the executive director of the Bayside Village Business Improvement District.
