Brooklyn Borough President

BOROUGH PRESIDENT CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE AID TO LOCAL BUSINESSES SUFFERING FROM THE BLACKOUT

In the aftermath of last week’s blackout, New York’s economy suffered a tremendous loss, estimated by officials at over a billion dollars. Many businesses in Brooklyn are struggling; they are facing higher property taxes, higher insurance and higher utility bills, leaving little margin for this kind of disaster. Borough President Marty Markowitz is calling for government to provide immediate help.

“Thousands of small businesses across Brooklyn are struggling to survive in the aftermath of last week’s blackout,” Borough President Markowitz said. “Brooklyn’s delis, bodegas, groceries, restaurants and other small businesses are the backbone of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods. I call upon Washington and Albany to come to their aid with a package of immediate grants and loans. Now is not the time for government officials to plead poverty, when they should be using every resource at their disposal to keep these critical businesses open.”

Small businesses have reported numerous instances of painful business losses incurred throughout Brooklyn including the following examples:

• La Villa Pizzeria in Mill Basin on Avenue U incurred an estimated $7000 of losses, including 75% of its wholesale delivery, which arrived only hours before the blackout. Meats, fish, poultry and cheeses were ruined. Costly dessert items melted away and business fell off over 50% for the week.

• The Butta’ Cup Lounge in Fort Greene on Adelphi Street struggled to stay open Thursday, barbecuing outside for customers. But most of their food spoiled and their vendors failed to deliver food and beverages for the weekend. The owners scrambled to purchase at great expense what they could to stay open, but lost over $15,000 worth of business that weekend without adequate liquor or food for customers.

• The Associated Supermarket in Crown Heights on Nostrand Avenue lost nearly $20,000 worth of products when its frozen goods, meats, dairy and produce had to be tossed out. In addition, the market was forced to close for two days losing an estimated $30,000 in sales. Pablo Espinal, the supermarket’s owner, says it is getting “tough to survive in business.”

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is surveying its members to determine the effects of last week’s blackout on Brooklyn businesses, but the Chamber and the Borough President encourage all Brooklyn businesses to participate. The survey is available at www.ibrooklyn.com.