You are reading

Mayor Extends Open Storefronts Program Through September 2021

The Mayor announced the extension of the Open Storefronts program Tuesday (Mayor’s Office)

Dec. 30, 2020 By Christian Murray

The mayor announced Tuesday that the city is extending a pilot program that allows storefront owners to sell goods on the sidewalk.

The initiative, dubbed the Open Storefronts program, was launched at the end of October and will now be in operation until Sept. 30, 2021. The program is modeled after the successful Open Restaurants program and allows business owners to sell and display their merchandise on a portion of the sidewalk.

The program requires participating businesses to keep an eight-foot clear path of sidewalk from the curb. Retailers cannot use the space of adjacent businesses.

The businesses must also bring all furniture and goods indoors when they are closed.

The initiative aims to help brick-and-mortar businesses, which have taken a hit due to COVID-19. The program was also established to increase public safety–by encouraging outdoor shopping and making social distancing easier.

“Open Storefronts has given business owners an easy way to maximize their space and keep customers safe as they shop,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We remain committed to giving small businesses more chances to thrive, and we’re excited to give them more opportunities to participate in this program throughout the winter and warmer months.”

The mayor has expanded the program, allowing businesses to sell pre-packaged food on sidewalks and to use sidewalks for take-out orders.

City officials hope that more businesses will take advantage of the program–particularly when the weather heats up. Since the program was launched, only a few hundred businesses out of the nearly 40,000 businesses that qualify have enrolled for the Open Storefronts program.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

9 Comments

Click for Comments 
Caroline

They cancelled outdoor holiday activities like New Year’s Eve onlookers at times square and allow outdoor shopping and dining. Makes no sense. They even recommended that you bring your own food and utensils if you got together with loved ones.

2
1
Reply
Mark C

Sanger Hall is closed indefinitely. Why then is their street seating still set up?. Don’t other merchants and residents have right to park on the street? Are they leasing the curb too?

Reply
Tom

This will definitely help so many businesses which are and will be having going out of business and everything must go sales.

5
1
Reply
Anonymous

So kwanza was born out of the race riots in the 60s in California. Apparently some guy was DWI and fought the cops when they arrested him so the community rioted and burned their own neighborhood in protest. Then they decided to commemorate the event by making up a holiday…. kwanza. With 2020 behind us maybe we can come up with something to celebrate the looting and violence. Everyone loves a holiday.

Reply
Woodsidelady

I cant understand the logic of having outdoor retail dace when snowstorm is a possibilty during winter .
Its a nuisance when stores having stuff outside only to rush in when it rains
Billy Blaz give us some real solutions.

13
4
Reply
Dawn

For some it is better than shopping online. Two of my packages were stolen the week before Christmas. Its been a hassle trying to report it and get my money back. The police told me to file a report online and hung up on me.

4
2
Reply
Victor

What does that have to do with anything in this article or the Sunnyside Post at all.
Do you need to get a lobotomy scheduled?

13
5
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Queens Together launches ‘Unofficial US Open Dining Guide’ encouraging fans to sample restaurants along the 7 line

Aug. 20, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

The US Open returns to Flushing Meadows Corona Park this Sunday, with more than 1 million attendees anticipated to take mass transit to the iconic annual tennis event. With hundreds of thousands of fans set to take the 7 out to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, there is a world of delicious local eateries lying beneath the elevated train tracks should any fan wish to stop en-route to the US Open.