BY EMMA MILLER
Downtown Flushing leaders announced that they will hold the area’s first Business Day event on Oct. 26 and 27 to promote small businesses.
Business Day will include discounts from participating businesses along with fun activities like face painting, live music and flash mobs. Reusable bags will be distributed to encourage consumers to go green.
The Downtown Flushing Transit Hub Business Improvement District (Flushing BID) has planned the event to support the 2,100 retail and service businesses in the downtown area.
“Online shopping is so convenient and popular these days, but we would like to encourage consumers to come to Flushing and shop on Main Street to support our small businesses,” said Councilman Peter Koo.
Business Day is funded by the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ (SBS) Neighborhood 360° program.
“By working with the Flushing BID, we are responding to local needs to support small business growth and build more vibrant neighborhoods for all New Yorkers,” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the NYC Department of SBS.
Neighborhood 360° is a program started by SBS to create commercial revitalization projects in partnership with local groups. They awarded Flushing BID and Asian Americans for Equality $1.55 million last year to promote businesses in their area.
“Small business is important to all levels of our government,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng, the daughter of a small business owner.
Downtown Flushing is the fourth largest central business district in NYC. Any businesses wanting to participate in Business Day can call Flushing BID at (718) 888-1805. Businesses must sign up by Oct. 18. A complete list of participating businesses will be released Oct. 21.
