this is... June 2020 . Volume 16 . Issue 6 ROAD TO RECOVERY NEW SBS COMMISSIONER DISCUSSES EFFORTS TO “FOLKS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AID SMALL BUSINESSES HOW WE BRING AS CITY BEGINS TO REOPEN BUSINESSES BACK, THAT EVERYBODY HAS A SHOT, NOT JUST SOME PEOPLE.” ALSO • RESIDENTS RALLY TO REOPEN • CITY MOVES TO ALLOW OUTDOOR DINING IN PHASE 2 • YOUR LIC SHARES INITIAL CONCEPTS FOR WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES COMMISSIONER JONNEL DORIS Award-winning producer of print and promotional products Corporate • Hospitals • Schools • Industry THE RIGHT PRODUCT, Apparel, tote bags, blankets, drink-ware, golf products, awards, gift sets, tech accessories, fitness FOR THE RIGHT and health, displays and signs, and much more. PRICE, AT THE Build your brand > visit unitedpg.com RIGHT TIME. United Print Group 45-23 47th Street, Woodside, NY 11377 718.392.4242 Fax: 718.392.4650 unitedpg.com [email protected] June 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 6 ROBERT A. MIKLOS MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Medical Malpractice Attorney LEARNING TO RESET Throughout our lives, most of us As devastating as this crisis has likely never considered the notion been, it’s really an opportunity for of going back to the us to reset. drawing board. By this, While the Queens I mean stepping back Chamber has been and looking at the big around since 1911 with picture of our lives and, the indelible principles more specifically, our to educate, advocate and professional careers. network, we too have I practiced law for pivoted. many years before We will never stray transitioning into from these ideals, but the WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE A VICTIM OF MEDICAL financial planning and manner in which we do wealth management. In TOM SANTUCCI so sure has changed and MALPRACTICE? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ANSWERS? my mind, I had a clear CHAIRPERSON will continue to evolve. idea of the direction my From our usual large CANCER ∙ SURGERY ∙ BIRTH INJURY career would take. scale, in-person gatherings to HOSPITAL NEGLIGENCE When life throws you a curve equally large online video forums, ball, we are often left wondering to the Queens Chamber is well suited CONTACT ROBERT MIKLOS TODAY do now? How will I recover from to address our current and future (877) 4-MED-MAL ∙ [email protected] this setback? challenges head on. The COVID-19 pandemic has Thanks as always for your DON’T LET IT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE undoubtedly left many of us asking support of the Queens Chamber of ourselves these important questions. Commerce. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, PC 600 Old Country Road Garden City, NY 11530 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO ATTORNEY ADVERTISING BACK IN THE NY GROOVE I’ve been a fan of music for all dedicated individuals committed to of my life, from my early teens to making a difference during these adulthood.. Various songs evoke challenging times. wonderful memories of special As we move ever closer to times. the city re-opening for business, In mid-May, the Queens Chamber the Chamber is ramping up and launched a weekly continuing to provide program via Facebook necessary resources LIVE. “Taking Care to prepare owners and of Business” is a employees for what 30-minute broadcast will be a “new normal” that gives voice to in our workspaces and individuals in our communities. community, many of Our organization’s which are members COVID-19 link making a difference on our website is during the COVID-19 regularly updated with pandemic. THOMAS J. GRECH the latest information The hook to this PRESIDENT & CEO on webinars, grants song comes to mind and loans, restaurant when I think about the resilience services, and office hours for of New Yorkers and the bravery elected officials, to name a few of our small business owners, who resources. are challenged with finding ways to We’ll certainly look back over keep their ventures operating. these past several months years Last month, the Chamber from now and share stories about began recognizing organizations how we coped while the city was throughout Queens we call on pause. One thing you can bet “Businesses of the Week.” These on, Queens is definitely back in the businesses, selected by our staff, represent the ground swell of CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 THIS IS queenschamber.org QUEENSBOROUGH their parking lot. A portion of the proceeds go to donating meals to local hospital staff and QUEENS QUICKLY families in need. • Boarding fewer customers at a time to allow This particular movie night was special UNITED ROLLS OUT for more distance during the boarding process, because it was an invite-only, no-cost event for minimizing crowding at the gate and jet bridge. the heroes at Elmhurst Hospital, who have been CLEANPLUS EFFORT • Asking customers to self-scan their boarding working day and night to keep the community United Airlines has introduced United Clean- passes at our gate readers. safe. Plus, a commitment to put health and safety at • Enhancing cabin sanitization, including Keeley McNamara partnered with Queens the forefront of the customer experience. electrostatic spraying, which will happen before Together to organize and raise funds for the Specifically, Clorox products will be used every flight starting this June. event. McNamara is a midwife at Elmhurst at United’s hub airports and medical experts • Requiring all employees and customers on Hospital. from the Cleveland Clinic will advise on new board to wear a mask or face covering, helping “We are all happy to do it,” she says of technologies, training development and quality protect each other. her work during the outbreak, “but we also assurance programming. • Implementing employee temperature checks miss spending time relaxing with our families. New protocols include touchless kiosks in before the start of their workday. When I heard about the drive-in movie at select locations for baggage check-in, sneeze Bel Aire Diner, I realized this would be a guards, mandatory face coverings for crew and perfect opportunity for first responders and their customers, and giving customers options when DINNER & A MOVIE families to spend a fun night out.” flights are more full. Queens Together is the brainchild of Jonathan “Safety has always been our top priority, and FOR THE FRONT LINE Forgash and Jaime Faye Bean, leaders in the right now in the midst of an unprecedented Front-line workers from Elmhurst Hospital community and two people who had the vision crisis, it’s our singular customer focus,” said were offered a chance to kick-back for a few to connect businesses, agencies, organizations, United CEO Scott Kirby. “We’re not leaving hours and take in a movie at the drive-in. The and food providers to communities in need a single stone unturned in our pursuit to better big night was on May 26 and the featured film during the COVID 19 crisis. protect our customers and employees.” was “The Princess Bride.” The operation has also distributed 40,000 Clorox is working closely with United to Since May 7, The Bel Aire Diner in Astoria pounds of fresh produce to 2,000 families in enhance the airline’s cleaning program, redefine has been hosting drive in movie nights in Queens since April 28. disinfection procedures and equip customers with amenities at select locations. Medical experts from the Cleveland Clinic will also advise on new technologies, training development and quality assurance program- ming. And, as scientists learn more about how to fight COVID-19, Cleveland Clinic experts will help United use those discoveries to quickly implement new ways to keep customers safe. “As the public begins to adjust to a world that’s been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, health and safety is of the utmost importance,” said Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic, Cleveland Clinic CEO. “It’s important for everyone to take pre- cautions as we enter this new phase of COVID- 19 response.” Some other United CleanPlus initiatives include: The parking lot of The Bel Aire Diner has been turned into a drive-in theater. TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6 Chamber Honors Local Businesses Helping During Pandemic ...............14-15 MetroPlus Offers Health Plan Options for Small Businesses ...............7 Stay Connected With the Chamber Through These Webinars .......................17 City Paving the Way for Outdoor Dining ...................................................8 Chamber Welcomes New Members ........................................................................21 Developers Release Initial Concepts for Waterfront Development ....9 PUBLISHER MANAGING EDITOR Walter H. Sanchez Shane Miller Aigner Trades Chocolate for Rainbows ....................................................10 MARKETING DIRECTOR Queens Residents Rally to Begin Reopening ..........................................11 John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 COVER STORY: New Commissioner Discusses Recovery ..............12 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827 4 June 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 6 “We’re coming together as a community to invent solutions during this crisis and beyond,” said QUEENS QUICKLY Forgash. “We hope what we’re doing will set an example of what opportunity for another school to deepen the school’s endowment seven year olds that really enjoy can happen when we work together begin its initial stages,” he added, fund to offer student scholarships the opportunity to be with a big in the face of adversity, and can “and allow them to flourish and be and grants, and provide high-level brother or big sister.” be a model for how to support a prosperous.” after-school programs. Another benefit, Younghese healthy community and economy Supporters of The Renaissance “I think it’ll be a real plus for us,” said, is that more parents in the as we gradually move into the Charter School reached out to Regan said. community will learn about Martin post-COVID world.” Learn more Martin Luther School last fall to Donna Younghese, principal at Luther School, especially when at queenstogether.org.