Glen Cove Downtown B.I.D. To Honor Business Advocates

Press release from Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District:

Feb. 15, 2021

The past year has been hard on local businesses in the downtown area, but the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District has continued to promote support of the local economy and found ways to bring people safely downtown throughout the pandemic. The BID will hold a Virtual Annual Meeting on Monday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m. over Zoom, and invites the community to join in for an opportunity to learn more about what it did for the community in 2020, and what its plans are for the coming year.

The meeting will include guest speakers U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and Glen Cove Mayor Timothy Tenke, and the BID Executive Director Patricia Holman will provide a review of the Downtown BID’s special events, capital improvements, economic developments, marketing and financial summary of 2020.

Naturally, last year looked quite different from a typical year.

“We had to put more emphasis on advocating for our businesses during the pandemic,” Holman said. “This included finding a resource for funding, initiating street closures to extend outdoor dining for our restaurants, making sure the businesses had information about funding and the pandemic immediately and simply, but almost most importantly, letting them know that the BID is there for them.”

In addition to the annual report, several people will be honored during the meeting for their dedication over the course of the pandemic. The BID will honor Fred Guarino, owner of Tiki Recording Studio; Matt Nartowicz of American Community Bank; Councilwoman Danielle Fugazy-Scagliola, who owns a business downtown; and John Zozzaro, owner of The Downtown Café.

“I have said over and over how proud I have been of our downtown businesses – how they have helped one another and transformed how they conducted business overnight, and how proud I am to be part of a community that supported our businesses,” Holman said, “but there are a few people that have stood out in helping our businesses, and we feel it is only fitting to celebrate these people.”

Holman said that the Downtown Sounds Committee did not want the downtown to go without music over the summer, so they discussed making it virtual. Fred Guarino made this a realization, and the BID brought live music – via livestreaming and television monitors – to the streets of downtown in July.

Matt Nartowicz of American Community Bank “came to the rescue of many of our downtown businesses,” according to Holman, to help them receive the Paycheck Protection Program funding. “It was clear early on that many of our small businesses were going to be left out of the PPP funding,” Holman said. “Not only did Matt help with these applications, but helped these businesses within days, and for some businesses, within hours.”

Holman said that, from day one, Danielle Fugazy-Scagliola voiced her concern over what was happening to the downtown businesses and was willing and ready to help where she was able. “As she was dedicating time at the Glen Cove Food Bank, she was on call for the BID whenever we needed something for our downtown businesses,” Holman said, noting that she helped with the BID’s proposal of closing the streets for the downtown restaurants, lighting up School Street with string lighting, bringing Santa to the annual Holiday Festival, and parking regulations for the Brewster Street garage, among other things. “For Danielle, it’s not about a photo-op. She is here for our community,” Holman said. “I am impressed by how she is able to immerse herself in this community the way that she does, while managing her own business and family.”

Holman said that John Zozzaro was also very helpful with the street closers during to allow for outdoor seating and getting the string lights for School Street. He found ways to not only help his own restaurant survive, but provided support for others.

“During the pandemic, John evaluated the situation and thought outside the box to ensure that his restaurant survived,” Holman said. “Each and every time John did something for his restaurant, he shared his knowledge with neighboring restaurants. It was through John’s insightfulness that he and I met with Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton regarding the exorbitant fees that third party delivery services charge to restaurants that are struggling during the pandemic. John has always proven to be available and lend a hand for the betterment for our downtown.”

To attend this BID event via zoom please go to www. glencovedowntown.org and RSVP to the invitation.

For further information, contact the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District at (516) 759-6970 or info@glencovedowntown.org.

This press release was produced by the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District. The views expressed here are the author's own.