The Grand Street BID is teaming up with 24 other community based organizations in New York City to Spread Love, Shop Local. For Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating small businesses and the community through the Small Business Sweeties Campaign.
Sweethearts Shop Local…Be a #SmallBusinessSweetie
For the second straight year, a group of neighborhood organizations representing New York City’s five boroughs, have joined forces to deliver messages of love and support to small businesses throughout the city – all in time for Valentine’s Day, February 14.
Each of the 25 participating neighborhood associations (complete list below) will customize its Valentine’s Day Sweethearts Shop Local program to its own area, with the common message to show the love to small businesses. Some examples are providing a free chocolate rose to VDay diners at participating restaurants (Downtown Staten Island, SI Chamber of Commerce); Celebrity Couples Photo Contest (Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID); and Valentine making at district bars (Grand Street BK BID). The Grand Street BID is hosting Local Loving programs throughout February, click here for full details. Additionally, The How-To Valentine’s Day Guide for Grand Street has all the information you need about special deals, events, and how to celebrate by shopping at local businesses.
Locations differ, but the message is the same: Shop local; Call direct for delivery; Leave a positive review; Give a shout out on social media; and Takeout Tuesdays.
Sweethearts Shop Local came about last year when graduates of the noted Coro Neighborhood Leadership Program (https://coronewyork.org/coro-programs/neighborhood-leadership/)
recently met up on Zoom to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the leadership program. Many of the participating neighborhood organizations are led by Coro grads whose mission is to learn how the city works so they can make it better.
“It was so nice, we’re doing it twice,” says Janet Dugo of Downtown Staten Island Commercial District. “Last year’s Small Business Sweetie campaign really helped businesses across Staten Island and New York City.”
Manhattan’s Cordelia Persen of the NoHo BID says she’s delighted to “spread the Valentine’s Day cheer about the small businesses of all shapes, sizes and ages that drive the special vibrancy of NoHo and Lower Manhattan.”
“We’re thrilled to be part of the second annual Sweethearts Shop Local program,” says Yasmin Cruz of the Westchester Square BID in the Bronx. “This five-borough initiative shows the strength of NYC. We hope to make a difference with this campaign by spreading love and support.”
Brooklyn’s Park Slope 5th Avenue BID’s Joanna Tallantire says “Show the love to our small businesses for Valentine’s Day. Shop, dine and enjoy but don’t forget to write a review, tell a neighbor, spread the word about your experience and bring the business even more love!”
Queens’ Christine Siletti from Bayside Village BID points to the connection between healthy neighborhoods and healthy commercial corridors. She says, “We’re happy to celebrate that connection. Shopping Local is an act of love. It’s how we’ve been getting through the pressures of the last year and a half.”
All participating organizations: BROOKLYN: Atlantic Avenue BID, Bay Ridge 5th Avenue BID, Church and Flatbush Avenue BID, FAB Fulton, FDC w/Cortelyou Road and Newkirk Plaza Merchants Association, North Flatbush Avenue BID, Grand Street BID, Park Slope 5th Avenue BID. BRONX: Jerome Gun Hill, Morris Park BID, Westchester Square BID, WHEDco and Southern Boulevard Merchant Association. QUEENS: 82nd Street/Jackson Heights, Bayside Village, Queens Economic Development Corporation/Made in Queens, Woodhaven BID. MANHATTAN: Chinatown BID/Partnership, Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, NoHo BID, Village Alliance, Union Square Partnership. STATEN ISLAND: Forest Avenue BID, Castleton Avenue Merchants Organization (CAMO), Downtown Staten Island /SI Chamber of Commerce.