Business Owners, Lawmakers Cry Out For 'Reopening Equity'

BROOKHAVEN TOWN, NY — Small business owners struggling to survive in the coronavirus pandemic will join with lawmakers to demand "reopening equity" — asking that they can open under the same rules that "essential" big box stores have been operating under since March.

An event is slated to take place on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on the corner of South Country Road and Woodruff Street in Bellport Village, in front of the firehouse, with Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and members of the town board, who will be joined by local business owners calling for equal rules for all.

Those in attendance will demand that small retail businesses be able to fully open immediately, no matter their size.

The town board and business leaders plan to stress the need to reopen the economy responsibly by enforcing social distancing, mask requirements and regular sanitizing of high-touch surfaces.

Masks or other face coverings will be required for all attending the event.