By Howard Koplowitz
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and state Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach) visited small businesses across Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach to inform them about city regulations to help prevent them from getting fines.
Addabbo and Pheffer made the visits Oct. 4 as part of “Business Education Day.”
The elected officials told the business owners about city Department of Consumer Affairs and Small Business Service rules and distributed information about identity theft, how to settle a violation, new business laws and city Department of Consumer Affairs hearings.
“Business Education Day gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet with small businesses in the area and provide them with a better understanding of some of the rules and regulations governing small businesses,” Pheffer said. “Our neighborhood stores are the cornerstone of our community and I was pleased to have this occasion to help raise awareness and provide this important information.”
Pheffer and Addabbo walked along Cross Bay Boulevard from Liberty Avenue to 159th Avenue in Howard Beach.
“Many of these businesses have been mainstays for years in this part of the district, but no matter how long they’ve been in business, most are hurting during these tough economic times,” Addabbo said. “So informing them of the city’s guidelines before they get a costly violation, I believe, is helpful. The information we provided them that day was very much appreciated by the business owners. The goal is to keep them in business and keep customers coming back.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
