This Is Queensborough - August 2018

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August 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 8

SCRAP

METTLE

THE WOMAN BREAKING GENDER STEREOTYPES AT CITY SCRAP METAL IN LONG ISLAND CITY CHAMBER TAKES TO THE SEAS FOR ANNUAL NETWORKING EVENT

OWNER AND PRESIDENT MICHELE ROTHMAN

LIJ FOREST HILL S

Danielle Bailey spends time with her newborn son, Omari — in the same hospital she was born in.

The Circle of Life The Women’s New Life Center at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills welcomes a baby boy whose mom was born at the same site 30 years ago.

Queens Village resident Danielle Bailey gave birth to her son, Omari, in the same hospital where she herself was born, 30 years ago. The address may be the same, but in the time between Ms. Bailey’s birth and her son’s, the environment has changed dramatically. Whereas her mom shared a room with other moms while their babies spent the majority of their time in the nursery — as was standard at the time —Ms. Bailey recovered and bonded with Omari in a new, spacious, private room.

Her mother, Elaine Bailey, gave birth to Danielle in what was then called LaGuardia Hospital. Back then, she recalls, it was par for the course for new mothers to share a room together while their babies were taken to the nursery. This time, she was able to be in the delivery room as her grandson was born, and she marvels at the experience.

“It felt so natural, not like an operating room setting, but like a living room setting.” Witnessing the birth, she says, was amazing.

A Welcoming Experience

Once Omari was born, the nurturing care continued, as Ms. Bailey and her new son settled into a spacious private room.

“They treated me so well,” says Ms. Bailey.

“I took a breastfeeding class, and got a lot of other important information about caring for my baby.”

From the time Ms. Bailey got to the Women’s New Life Center, she felt cared for. “I had my husband and family with me, and even though not everyone could be with me in the delivery room, they explained their policies to me, and people were able to go back and forth between the delivery room and the waiting room,” says the first-time mom.

Sponsored by Long Island Jewish Forest Hills

Private rooms, allowing the newborn to stay in the mom’s room and help with breastfeeding, are deliberate choices by the Women’s New Life Center to

promote bonding and help new mothers feel more relaxed, says Jennifer Kurtz, DO, the center’s director of neonatology.

The hospital is one of only 420 in the U.S. to be recognized as a Baby-Friendly designated facility, part of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) effort to encourage infant-care education and breastfeeding.

Two weeks after taking Omari home, Ms. Bailey says she’s grateful for the boost of confidence in new motherhood that started with the care she received at the center. “I was only there for two days,” she says, “but the whole time, I felt understood and cared for.”

For more info on the Women’s New Life Center, call (718) 975-5200

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

NEW TARIFFS WILL IMPACT NYS ECONOMY New tariffs on steel, aluminum, manufacturing jobs depend on and Chinese imports, as well as the exports, and one in three acres of potential for additionAmerican farmland is al tariffs on autos and planted for international auto parts, have pushed sales. the United States to the Imposing tariffs on brink of a global trade imported goods will war. hit American consumCanada, Mexico, the ers and businesses— EU, and China have including manufacturalready retaliated—or ers, farmers, ranchers, announced plans to and technology comretaliate—with billions TOM SANTUCCI panies—with higher of dollars in tariffs on costs on commonly used CHAIRPERSON American-made prodproducts and materials. ucts.

Simply put, tariffs are Millions of U.S. jobs depend a tax on American consumers and on America’s ability to trade with businesses. other countries. Half of all U.S. In New York State, $1.2 billion

of exports to Canada are in jeop- China, and $145 million to Europe ardy due to the emerging trade war. are all targeted for retaliation.

The hardest-hit products are the This ultimately matters because following: 2,709,200 New • Aluminum York jobs are supThis ultimately Alloy - $564 milported by global matters because lion exported trade. annually to CanaIt is important 2,709,200 New York da from NY jobs are supported by to stay apprised of • Oil, Gas, Iron, these matters due global trade. or Steel - $148 to the clear impact million exported on our trading annually to Canaabilities within da from NY New York State. For an already• Bread, Pastries & Cakes - $66 deteriorating manufacturing sector million exported annually to Cana- in New York City, we must advoda from NY cate for our local business owners Further, $25 million of New York and do what we can to stimulate exports to Mexico, $196 million to economic growth.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

NEW MEMBERS CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT QCC

Summer is flying by! In July, we Join us at Cobblestones Pub in focused on bringing you, the busi- Forest Hills! This will be a fantastic ness owner, closer to your audience opportunity to relax and do some and network. From our Annual networking after a long day at the Business Expo to Queens Soccer office. We’re also excited to check Night to our Annual out Cobblestones’ Boat Cruise, we strive outdoor Biergarten! to make the connecWe will be providtions that matter. ing appetizers, and I’ve said it time your first drink is and again: Your sucon us! cess with the Queens • Monday, SepChamber is all about tember 17, 6-8PM taking advantage of For September, the opportunities and we’re traveling events we host. If you to Resorts World are ever curious, be THOMAS J. GRECH Casino NYC for sure to take a look at PRESIDENT & CEO Karaoke Night! our calendar (available This will be a fanat queenschamber.org) tastic opportunity or give us a call (718.898.8500). to relax and belt out some tunes Again, summer 2018 is all about after a long day at the office. educating and networking. Over • Tuesday, November 13, 6-8PM the next two months, we have more November is Latin Dance Night than ten events programmed to at Resorts World Casino! This will help you, the small business owner. be a fun evening where attendees Whether it be Business Card can cut-loose and receive profesExchanges or Educational Semi- sional instruction from Latin dance nars, we want to assist in getting choreographers. the word out about your company.

New Member Orientation Upcoming Business Card The Queens Chamber of ComExchanges merce is committed to maximiz• Tuesday, August 7, 6-8PM ing your membership. As such,

we are implementing a quarterly “New Member Orientation” where those Members who joined in the previous quarter will attend a basic meet-and-greet and training seminar.

If you are a new member of the

Queens Chamber of Commerce, our next “New Member Orientation” is scheduled for Thursday, August 16, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. We are hosting it here at the Queens Chamber of Commerce, so don’t miss out.

Queens Chamber events, like this one co-hosted by Airbnb in May, are a great way to make connections in the business community.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS QUICKLY Pols aim to ease road for disadvantaged businesses Two New York congress members introduced bipartisan legislation to help businesses gain “disadvantaged” status.

Democrat Yvette Clarke of Brooklyn and Republican Dan Donovan of Staten Island introduced the Streamlining Small Disadvantaged Businesses Act last month. It would create a

one-year pilot program in which the Small Business Administration (SBA) would certify qualifying firms as small disadvantaged businesses.

“Even when navigating programs intended to help them, small businesses still get bogged down in unnecessary bureaucracy,” said Donovan. “By cutting through red tape and streamlining inefficient processes, we will help entrepreneurs unleash their potential and promote a more competitive marketplace for all.” Thousands of small businesses around the

country are owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who experience difficulty expanding their businesses and competing for government contracts.

The legislation would streamline the process for small businesses to apply for small disadvantaged status by allowing states and local governments to adopt a single standard across all levels of governments.

“In New York, one in four business owners come from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Clarke. “Unfortunately, we make it too hard for them to apply for city, state, and federal contracting opportunities by creating burdensome and duplicative processes.”

New art installation tells the stories of the people of Jamaica

The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) unveiled a new art installation at the 165th Street Mall.

The illuminated art wall will feature a rotating line-up of artists, the first of which is Queens-based Jocelyn Goode of CultureCocoa ArtHouse.

With funding from Councilman Rory Lancman and additional support from M&T Charitable Foundation, the project demonstrates a commitment to promoting and securing Jamaica’s rich cultural history and legacy.

“We wanted to develop a simple amenity that would tell the story of the neighborhood and enliven the district at all hours,” said GJDC CEO Hope Knight.

Goode created the inaugural piece around the theme “Jamaica on the Move,” which was inspired by a half-day street art session held in May with local students, residents, and passersby.

The ideas of the more than 30 people who participated are woven throughout the piece.

“This art represents the residents whose humanity becomes more apparent when we take a moment to slow down and inhale all that makes Jamaica so special,” said Goode.

Each wall is six-feet tall and eight-feet wide

Pictured from left to right are artist Jocelyn Goode, Councilman Rory Lancman, Derek Irby, Laurel Brown, J. Manuel Mansylla of Totem, and Vignike Anderson of GJDC. (Photo: Walter Karling) and is constructed with two-way art panels that feature a unique nighttime luminescence.

The wall, which sits atop a repurposed Jersey

barrier, is easily moveable, not only allowing the public to visit the featured art, but the featured art to move with the public.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6

Ops21 Introduces New Technology to Business Owners .................................17

Chamber On-The-Go Reaching Businesses on the Street .....................7

Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings .........................................................18

COVER STORY: The Women Behind City Scrap Metal .....................8

Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................23

A MWBE Success Story at Grand Meridian Printing ...........................9 Queens Chamber Takes Networking to the Seas ...................................12 When Can You Legally Refuse Service? ..................................................15 Two Networking Events on the Chamber Calendar ..............................16 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

CHAMBER EDITOR MARKETING DIRECTOR Brett Swanson John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

QUEENS QUICKLY New loading zones for Austin Street For year, the central commercial corridor in Forest Hills has faced issues with congestion and doubleparked trucks, as well as a lack of parking and safe crossings for pedestrians.

In an effort to combat those issues, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will start testing a number of new measures this month along Austin Street and its side streets from Yellowstone Boulevard to Ascan Avenue.

Those changes will include Plus Time metered parking, which will allow a third hour of parking at a higher rate, enhanced crossings for pedestrians, and more blocks that have metered parking until 10 p.m. to increase availability for restaurant patrons and movie-goers. “The DOT are changing the meters until 10 p.m. because they have this crazy idea that it creates more turnover,� said Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce president Leslie Brown. “They don’t care that over 70 percent of the spots turnover already.�

However, there is one change that is causing controversy for Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce and its members. And that’s the installation of truck loading zones.

The DOT is adding 12 new 60-foot loading zones that will be in operation Monday through Friday from 7 and 11 a.m., which would provide 36 spaces for trucks for a 30-minute limit.

Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., there will be eight loading zones providing 24 spaces, and between 1 and 4 p.m. there will be three loading zones with nine spaces.

But Brown says the removal of any parking spaces in favor of loading zones is detrimental to the businesses in the area.

She has been observing traffic since the DOT revealed its plans, and said while there are times when congestion is a problem on Austin Street, it’s not an everyday problem. “There is an overwhelming

WATCH YOUR MONEY GROW

WITH YOUR BUSINESS

amount of hours where there isn’t congestion,� Brown said. “The trucks aren’t there for a long period of time, they have other places to go. They’re not spending the day here, they’re making deliveries all over.�

The goal of the loading zones, according to DOT project manager Matt Garcia in an earlier presentation to Community Board 6, is to limit to promote deliveries ´ :space KDW VHWV 5LGJHZRRG DSDUW during off-peak hours. from other banks commeris their “We want to dedicate cialVHUYLFH ,I , KDYH D QHHG space at the curb so trucks can WKH\ WDNH FDUH RI LW do their deliveries and keep moving,â€? said Garcia. “Because , QHYHU KDYH WR ZRUU\ Âľ customer parking is so important to the Jeffbusinesses Ceraso on Austin Street, these commercial spaces at the Starving Artist CafĂŠ & Gallery curb will revert back to passenger parking as the day progresses.â€?

But Brown said the changes back and forth from commercial to regular parking can be confusing for drivers. “We’ve polled a lot of people, and they told us that whenever they see a loading zone sign, they don’t park their car because they’re worried it will be towed,� said.

Asshe co-owner of Starving Artist CafÊ & Gallery, Jeff Ceraso needed a bank A DOT representatives said that that could keep up with the afast pace of his business. He turned to if the changes aren’t having 5LGJHZRRG ZKHUH KH IRXQG WKH à H[LEOH DFFRXQWV VRSKLVWLFDWHG WHFKQRORJ\ positive impact or worsen the situation, theyresponsive will make adjustments. and fast, service he needed to move his business forward.

But Brown doesn’t buy it. “The DOT and the City of New *HW WKH VROXWLRQV \RX QHHG WR VDYH WLPH DQG LPSURYH FDVK Ă RZ York know this has failed Relationship Manager today.

Speak with athat Business Banking on balances up to $1 million elsewhere and that it has killed businesses, and yet they continue on with the plan even though they know it’s not good,� Brown said.

She added that other chambers of commerce from around the ZZZ ULGJHZRRGEDQN FRP borough have reached out to her (844) about772-4722 forming a coalition to fight DOT initiatives like loading zones, metered parking and bike lanes.

Brown said she has heard from several business owners that say they may not renew their leases with all of the changes coming.

Effective Date: 6/16/18. *Annual Percentage Yield (APY). New accounts only. $10,000 “They think their businesses are minimum to open. Contact an employee for further information about applicable going to be so adversely affected,� fees and terms. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Balances of she said. $1,000,000.01 and over receive a rate of .30% and an annual percentage yield of .30%.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS tion and mental health treatment made,” Certilman said. “It’s an is designed to create opportunities Owens elected services, housing and homeless incredible motivator to keep fight- for CEOs, executive directors, and services, and health care, begin- ing for this industry.” senior staff of local arts advanceto WCC board The Women’s City Club of New York elected a Deborah Martin Owens of Queens as new vicechair of the board at its 102nd annual meeting.

“I feel incredibly blessed to hold a leadership position in such a strong and vibrant orgaOWENS nization that has led this city for the past 100 years, and will continue to do so for the next 100 years,” she said.

Martin Owens is an attorney in the New York office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. At the end of July 2018, she will begin in her new role as executive director of Diversity & Inclusion at the New York City Bar Association.

At WCC, she is a member of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, Executive Committee and Development Committee. She previously served on the board of Friends of Island Academy and held positions of leadership in the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the National Bar Association.

The new leadership comes as WCC moves to broaden its reach and become more inclusive to reach more women in New York, particularly those who are seeking access and opportunities to affect change and have an impact.

Pantin takes over at Outreach Debra Pantin, formerly CEO of VIP Community Services in the Bronx, will take over as president and CEO of Queens-based addiction treatment center Outreach.

Pantin has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of addic-

6

ning as a practitioner and later as a leader in establishing programs.

At VIP, she successfully propelled the organization that provides comprehensive social services in the Bronx toward an integration of services. During her tenure, VIP opened a mental health clinic and transformed its health services into a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with care coordination services.

Prior to joining VIP Community Services in 2013, Pantin served as COO of Palladia, Inc. (formerly Project Return), where she spent 25 years directing program and operational services serving 26,000 clients annually.

Pantin earned her Master’s Degree in Social PANTIN Work from the Hunter College School of Social Work and her Master’s of Science in Management and Health Care Management from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY College at Purchase.

Certilman is a third-generation automobile dealer.

“My job over the next 12 months is to continue to promote CERTILMAN and defend a strong franchised system that benefits local people, local communities and the local business owners who manage them while at the same time being forever mindful of those less fortunate,” he added.

Certilman is a supporter of the Long Island Alzheimer Association, Big Brothers, American Cancer Society, and Juvenile Diabetes.

In addition, through Nardy Honda’s community outreach program he provides time and funds to local educational and charity drives.

He is a graduate of Syracuse University and was director of Affiliate Relations at CBS Television before joining his family’s automobile business in 1985.

2nd term for Certilman

Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, executive director of the Queens Council on the Arts, will be one of the 16 top-level arts executives gathering to brainstorm, reflect, and strategize on the future of arts administration at the annual Executive Leadership Forum.

T h e KRAKAUER forum will be hosted by Americans for the Arts from September 12-15 in Sundance, Utah.

“It is a great honor to be representing Queens and to be included among the top arts leaders of the country at this important gathering,” said Krakauer.

The Executive Leadership Forum

Lee Certilman, co-owner of the oldest Honda dealership on Long Island, Nardy Honda Smithtown, has been named chairman of the influential Whitestone-based Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) for a second term.

The Association - established 108 years ago - is an organization that supports more than 400 local businesses that generate annual economic activity of $48.5 billion while providing 68,600 jobs.

“Auto dealers in our area provide tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, so, when I’m talking to legislators about our industry, I think about all these individuals who will be impacted by every decision

QCA head to attend art forum

ment organizations to focus on long-term thinking, professional growth, and personal renewal.

Krakauer will attend seminars on improving overall strategy, handling transitions, and preparing Queens Council on the Arts to benefit locally from national trends in the arts world.

A wide range of topics—including equity, cultural democracy, community development, and longterm visioning—will be explored through discussions, presentations, and screenings.

“I am thrilled that 16 strong arts leaders from communities across the country are participating in this year’s forum,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “The arts can be a tool for social and economic improvement and community transformation, and my hope is that this gathering of cultural sector executives will lay the groundwork for future action in new ideas, insights, strategies, and real innovation.”

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2018 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest.

Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication.

Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads.

The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

CHAMBER ON-THE-GO

love WHERE YOU

Jacqueline Donado (front center) with the Chamber On-The-Go team on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

BY JACQUELINE DONADO The Queens Chamber of Commerce participates in Chamber On-the-Go, a program run by the Department of Small Business Services (SBS). For those unfamiliar, Chamber On-the-Go is a mobile business support program that helps New York City small business owners access free services without leaving the storefront. The goal is to reach business owners in many underserved communities.

During an on-site visit, our trained staff do the following: ▪ Conduct a snapshot assessment of your business strengths and needs.

▪ Connect you with free resources from SBS, Chambers of Commerce, and local organizations to help your business thrive.

▪ Provide immediate business support and make appointments for future services.

▪ Answer questions and collect feedback on the challenges and opportunities facing your specific business community During 2017 and 2018, the Chamber of Commerce reached 2384 and served 312 businesses.

We were able to target new areas for our outreach efforts and collect surveys at numerous events throughout the borough.

During the second quarter, most

of the outreach took place in Astoria, Corona, Elmhurst, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Forest Hills, Hollis, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jackson Heights, Long Island City, Rego Park, and Whitestone.

In December, we served Far Rockaway with the help of a new unit provided by SBS. The outreach team focused on local businesses from Beach 18th Street to Beach Channel Drive and along Mott Avenue in areas represented

by Councilman Donovan Richards, who provided most of the funding for the initiative.

Business surveys are now translated into Chinese, Korean and Spanish, with the help of Chamber of Commerce interns. We are also implementing the Commercial Lease and Legal Assistance Program after recognizing a need in the business community.

We are very proud of this program, which is accessing the most underserved communities in Queens. Working so intimately in these diverse communities, you really get to see the needs and concerns of the business owners and residents.

Jacqueline Donado is Strategic Program Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce.

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AUGUST FOCUS: MINORITY & WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

THE WOMAN BEHIND CITY SCRAP METAL

BY NANCY RUHLING Michele Rothman pulls a coil of Bare Bright Copper No. 1 out of a plastic bin and holds it up to the unforgiving glare of the fluorescent light.

“It’s gorgeous,” she says of the electrical wiring. “It’s scrap, but I consider it art.”

As she’s admiring its gleaming beauty, a truck comes in with a delivery, and she rushes over to the table to help her crew remove the plastic insulation from the new cache of copper.

Rothman, owner and president of Long Island City-based City Scrap Metal, loves unsheathing the braided copper, a task that her desk duties don’t allow her enough time to do.

Once she starts, it’s hard to stop.

It’s like popping bubble wrap.

Tall and elegant in black highheel boots, Rothman doesn’t seem concerned about getting her hands or her suit jacket dirty.

The only woman on the line, she fits in comfortably, smiling each time a new vein of copper is revealed.

She’s not sure what makes the plastic peeling so satisfying and addictive, but it may be because she grew up in family that, as she says, “bleeds metal.”

Her mother and father owned a metal-plating company, and her paternal grandparents had a scrap metal yard.

Rothman, who was born in Sheepshead Bay and spent five of her young years on Staten Island, grew up in Woodmere, Long Island.

“When my parents divorced, I was in college,” she says. “My mom bought out my dad.”

Rothman learned salesmanship from her mother.

“I used to go with her on calls,” she says. “I was her sidekick.”

She never thought of going into business for herself, and after she graduated from the University of Buffalo with a degree in econom-

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ics, she sought a career in advertising.

Instead, she ended up working in real estate, eventually becoming a commercial broker.

“I still wanted to pursue advertising, so I took a leave of absence and worked as a temp at ad agencies to see whether I liked it,” she says. “It turned out I did.”

She became an account executive for Hill Holliday, where she worked with a variety of sports clients.

And that’s where she still might be had she not made a trip to the Catskills.

“It was a singles weekend,” she says. “I met my husband, Alan, there. We were engaged six weeks later.”

They settled in Chicago, where Rothman got back into the real estate business. The couple returned to New York when she was pregnant with the first of their two children.

They joined her family’s scrap metal business for a couple of years.

Nineteen years ago, they established City Scrap Metal, whose logo is a scrappy, in-your-face Eng-

lish bulldog.

“I started the company in my house,” she says. “My son was one year old. I used to hold him on my lap while I was on the phone doing sales calls. Then we bought this building and moved here.”

Although City Scrap Metal is open only six days a week, Rothman is on duty seven.

“The work never stops,” she says. “I do paperwork at night and on weekends because I don’t want to waste income-producing hours on it.”

City Scrap Metal, whose offices and warehouse cover 8,000 square feet, collects scrap from job sites.

Its trucks have digital scales, so sellers are paid on the spot. Customers also drop metal off at the warehouse, where it is processed and shipped to mills for recycling.

“We are not a stereotypical junkyard,” Rothman says. “We’re a serious business, and we’re a brand. At nearly every construction site, you’ll see someone in a hard hat wearing one of our City Scrap Metal bulldog T-shirts.”

There aren’t many women in the scrap-metal business, a fact that Rothman is very aware of. (Yes,

she’s had her share of #MeToo moments but says she deflected them with humor.)

Rothman’s work at City Scrap Metal is all consuming, but that’s okay with her. She considers the 15 people who work for her extended family.

“There were years that I cut my salary to less than what my employees were making so I could make payroll,” she says.

City Scrap Metal recently was certified as a woman-owned business, and Rothman has other changes in the works.

“I’m looking for 2018 to be a breakout year,” she says. “I’m planting the seeds to move the company in a different direction because the industry is changing.

I want to stay ahead of the curve.”

For the next few minutes, though, she’ll continue helping her copper crew. Sometimes, it’s nice to take a break.

Nancy A. Ruhling may be reached at Nruhling@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyruhling and visit astoriacharacters.com.

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

AUGUST FOCUS: MINORITY & WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

GM PRINTING’S MWBE SUCCESS STORY

BY BENJAMIN FANG When you walk into Grand Meridian (GM) Printing’s office on Hunters Point Avenue in Long Island City, the first thing you’ll see is a wall adorned with accolades and awards.

They come from elected officials and trade associations, newspapers and industry leaders. Many have personal messages written on them, including a letter from former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, congratulating the company on its expansion in 2009.

Behind it all is K.Y. Chow, president and founder of GM Printing. A Hong Kong native who speaks with a slight British accent, Chow took what was a small printing shop and turned it into a successful minority or women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) with several contracts with government agencies.

But Chow doesn’t come from a background in printing. In fact, he is a merchant banker by trade.

In Hong Kong, Chow worked as a syndication manager for a decade.

He was making a good living in one of the world’s largest financial centers.

In 1997, with the city’s return to China from British rule, that all changed. Chow’s father, who survived the civil war in China, encouraged him to “get away from communists” and head to the United States.

“That’s why I sacrificed a very good job in Hong Kong,” he said.

Chow arrived during another economic downturn, the October mini-crash of 1997. Caused by an economic crisis in Asia, the crash led the stock market to tumble.

However, Chow said, it only took the economy a couple of months to recover.

Unable to get into the syndication market in New York, Chow instead worked as a director with Well Capital Management, a consulting company that managed hotels and franchisees. With his background, he helped oversee projects like a

K.Y. Chow bought Long Island City’s Grand Merdian Printing in 1993 for $175,000. $14 million Holiday Inn on Lafayette Street.

The consulting group managed several major developments and businesses in Chinatown, including Golden Unicorn Restaurant and the now-defunct bakery chain Maria.

According to Chow, one of the local partners at the firm then wanted to unload some of the businesses they were managing to raise cash.

He presented Chow with a proposal.

“He said, ‘We need money, I’m trying to liquidate some assets,’” Chow said, recalling the conversation. “Would you be interested in taking over the printing house?”

The Hong Kong native had to weigh a few factors. On the one hand, it’s better to “be your own boss” rather than be an employee, Chow said. But he knew nothing about the technical aspects of the printing industry.

He consulted with his wife, who also has a master’s in business administration and worked as a financial controller. She told him that it wasn’t a bad idea because

she could still sustain the mortgage with her income.

Despite some lingering doubts and questions, Chow agreed to take over the printing house, establishing Grand Meridian Printing in 1993. The shop cost him $175,000, which at the time was his entire life savings.

Though he didn’t have a printing background, Chow was determined to learn everything about the industry and the day-to-day operations.

He gave himself one year to prepare.

Deploying his skills in feasibility studies, Chow conducted an extensive study of the field, and drew several conclusions. The first was that all printing shops in Chinatown were mom-and-pop cottage operations with no professional management or marketing, giving him a leg-up.

Another was that there was “a good supply” of workers in the region who, though didn’t speak English, had strong skills and abilities. Noting that Chinatown largely operated as a cash economy, Chow concluded that if he offered reason-

able packages, he would be able to attract talent.

“With all these conclusions I had, I was convinced that putting all the elements together, I would be able to make it,” he said.

To get a better handle on the technical parts of the industry, Chow took an apprenticeship at a small printing shop. He worked there for three months, picking up the terminology and basic understanding of the machines.

After a year of learning, Chow ran his first location at 79 Madison Street, a small, 850-squarefoot site, printing restaurant menus. He worked hard, starting at 7 a.m. and closing shop at 11 p.m. To this day, those are his working hours.

It took GM Printing three years to get their first major account, but by then, they had established themselves as a strong presence.

In 2004, the company became one of the first companies to be certified as an MWBE. Five years later, they expanded to a CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

9

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

AUGUST FOCUS: MINORITY & WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES

FROM SMALL PRINTING SHOP TO CERTIFIED VENDOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

15,000-square-foot workspace in LIC and purchased an eight-color Heidelberg printer, one of the best in the business.

In the corner of his office, Chow has a framed photo of him and Bloomberg, whom he considers one of the “most admirable mayors” in New York City. In particular, Chow praised the mogul’s understanding of economic development in a city.

During the Bloomberg administration, Chow worked closely with the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), which connected him to opportunities with city agencies and larger companies.

GM Printing eventually snagged a five-year contract with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, a major account.

Chow also credits Bloomberg for signing Local Law 129 in 2005, which established an MWBE contracting goal of 20 percent for city agencies.

According to SBS documents, the law helped increase the number of certified MWBE firms participating in city programs from 700 to 3,500. Certified firms won more than $3 billion in city contracts.

Chow said it made a difference for him because rather than competing with hundreds of printing shops, he only had to outbid a handful of MWBE firms.

“It eliminates a lot of competition,” he said.

In 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo increased the MWBE goal to 30 percent, the highest in the nation, a move that Chow deemed “critical” as well. To date, GM Printing has been offered more than ten long-term contracts with government agencies, in addition to many Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Request for Quotations (RFQs).

Despite their success, Chow said MWBEs often face many barriers, including perceptions that they are not capable enough for large jobs.

He said many diversity directors at agencies already have a relation-

10

ship with a particular firm, and are unwilling to change.

He credited both John Liu and Scott Stringer, the former and current city comptroller, for “cracking down” on city agencies that don’t meet the 30 percent goal.

To illustrate his point, Chow shared the story of how he secured his first contract with the Office of Court Administration (OCA), a state agency serving courts from New York City up to Buffalo, to print their annual report. It took GM Printing three tries to get it.

On his first shot, Chow said he applied diligently. He thought hard about what kind of edge his shop might have over the existing vendor, a question he believes every MWBE should ask themselves.

“If you do not have an edge, you are wasting your time,” he said.

“Then you have to push it on the proposal.”

Chow attended the pre-bid meeting, learning all of the specifications of the project. He saw who his competitors were, and conducted research on who they were and what kind of equipment they used.

Though he worked hard on the bid, his first attempt fell flat.

The next year, he applied again.

Learning from his mistakes the first time around, Chow priced out his bid aggressively. He was beyond happy to learn that his bid was one of the lowest.

Chow recalled waiting at his office for two months, thinking he was going to get the job. But the letter from OCA came back, informing him that he didn’t get the contract because they were still “doubtful” about GM Printing’s capabilities and performance.

Chow then called up the agency and set up an appointment. Upon meeting the diversity director, they exchanged business cards, establishing an initial relationship. Chow saw this as his best chance.

“I knew I had to break through this lock,” he said. “If you’re not able to open it, you’ll never get it through.”

To showcase the type of printing job his company could do, Chow repeatedly sent OCA examples of

works he completed, such as recipe books and calendars. He wanted to “open up his mind” about the company’s abilities.

It took three years, but on his third attempt, Chow secured an important contract with a big state agency.

He said MWBEs have to be consistent and determined to win over contracts like the ones GM Printing have secured. It’s even harder for someone like Chow, an immigrant who had built-in challenges.

But he said business owners have to let the agencies know that they’re not only better than competitors, but better than the current vendor.

“Simple as that, but it takes a long time, the consistency,” Chow said. “It’s not one day, it’s a longterm process.”

performance requirements, and helps contractors meet their goals.

To identify and reach out to MWBE firms, the Port Authority created an online directory. Their digital platform allows vendors to reapply for certifications, search for opportunities and view upcoming events.

To increase MWBE participation, the Port Authority also began a mentor-protege program, which pairs successful companies with emerging firms.

Mentors are on call to give advice about project planning, bidding,

project closeout and other contracting information.

Proteges then participate in seminars and information sessions, as well as curriculum classes, to gain the necessary information.

They also offer networking events to secure business connections and develop stronger partnerships in the MWBE community.

With these tools and programs, the Port Authority is making it easier for MWBEs to receive contracts for projects that shape New York and New Jersey’s longterm future.

PA COMMITS TO MWBE PARTICIPATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

can receive the contract even if their bid exceeds the lowest bid by 10 percent.

To assist certified MWBEs, the Port Authority boasts an Office of Business Diversity and Civil Rights, which coordinates meetings between contracts and engineers to discuss technical issues related to contracts.

The office also expedites payments and resolves nonpayment issues, keeps firms in the loop on policy changes or

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

AUGUST FOCUS: MWBE’S

WORKING WITH THE PA The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is making strides toward the goal of awarding 30 percent of contracts to minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE).

MWBE firms have already played a big role in the agency’s $32.2 billion capital plan, overseeing improvement and modernization projects at the region’s airports and bridges.

To qualify as an MWBE, businesses have to be certified by the Port Authority. Firms have to be at least 51 percent owned, operated or controlled by women or minorities.

The application process can be completed online, followed by additional paperwork. MWBE firms are certified for five years, while Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) can be certified for three years.

All businesses are required to submit marketing data.

Architectural and engineering firms have a separate specialty form, while construction companies have to submit a reference sheet.

Once certified, firms can then register with the Port Authority’s procurement department to receive solicitations for contracts. The Port Authority also encourages firms to clearly define their services when applying to be vendors.

All construction contracts under $500,000 are considered for MWBE firms, while those above $500,000 can be set aside for firms that have experience with largerscale projects.

Some commodity and service contracts may even have a price preference for MWBEs. According to the Port Authority, these firms CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

CRUISE INTO SUMMER NETWORKING EVENT

CHAMBER HOSTS ANNUAL NETWORKING CRUISE The rain cleared away just in time for the third annual Queens Chamber Boat Cruise on July 18 at the World’s Fair Marina.

Hundreds of attendees filled the three floors on the Skyline Princess, which cruised past LaGuardia Airport, Roosevelt Island, the United Nations building and the Hell Gate Bridge in Astoria.

The cruise served as an opportunity to network and connect with business leaders from industries across Queens.

In addition to enjoying food and drinks, participants won prizes and danced the night away on the top deck, and watched as the sun set on a warm, breezy Wednesday night as the cruise docked back in Flushing Bay. (BENJAMIN FANG)

Stuart Harker, Laura Gonzalez & Gabriel Taveras

Tom Grech, Sal Crifasi, Walter Sanchez, Angelo DiGangi, Frank Steele & Anthony Iuliano

Esther Salea & Erik Torres

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Alvin Enahoro & Karen Heller

Julian Tucker & Jonathan Elson

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

CRUISE INTO SUMMER NETWORKING EVENT Gloria Medina & Milton Henao

Jeff Cohen & John Rafferty

Stuart Harker & Carl Mattone, Jr.

Phillip Barsamian, Gabi Klengler & Nicholas Mohan

Tom Grech & Hersh Parekh

T H E K E W- FO R E ST S C H O O L CENTENNIAL GALA Join Us to Make a Difference Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 6:30pm to 10:30pm The Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park

O P P O R T U N I T I E S TO S U P P O R T I N C LU D E : Tickets • Sponsorships • Journal Ads • Auction Donations All funds raised support The Kew-Forest School For more information, please contact Jeanne K. Murphy, Director of Institutional Advancement at 718.551.3114 or jmurphy@kewforest.org www.kewforest.org/CentennialGala

P R E S C H O O L T H R O U G H G R A D E 12 119 -17 U N I O N T U R N P I K E • F O R E S T H I L L S , N Y 113 7 5 • W W W. K E W F O R E S T. O R G

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE MY PROFITS?

BY HARLAN KHAN One would think that business owners are focused on this question every moment they are working. But the reality is that business owners wear many hats. They focus on getting new customers, executing sales, dealing with vendors, collecting money, and administering their businesses so it stays compliant.

At what point do you focus on trimming costs or bringing in new lines of business revenue? Why is it that Wall Street companies are always talking about estimates compared to actual sales results and income? Why is it a minority of others in my industry are succeeding, while so many others struggle or go out of business?

Many of us went to school and may have learned about a “bell curve” (see illustration). Where does your business fall within this curve?

“Some People” represent 16 percent on each edge of favorable or non-favorable, leaving 68 percent, or “Most People,” split down the middle.

Most people build a business through entropy. We take all the customers we can get in the very beginning. Hopefully the business grows to the point of too many customers, where we must hire help or send some customers away.

This building process creates a job for a business owner. The owner fixes problems as they arise and is multi-directionally focused.

Get away from the entropy mindset. What is your business anyway?

Isn’t your business your vehicle for you to attain the financial and

personal quality of life for you and your family? How’s your vehicle running?

My purpose is to address the

giant gorilla in the room. Public corporations measure actual vs. estimated results and the company stock soars or tumbles accordingly.

In school, accounting courses certainly cover budgets and financial statements indicating results.

How many small businesses write a business plan? Most self-help and motivational books talk about goal setting. Maybe you need someone to sit down with you and set some achievable business goals? Maybe you need help refining your goals or crystalizing them?

Specific goals lead to specific results. You no longer need to wonder why most businesses fail.

The “Some People” to the left and “Most People” - 84 percent of the businesses on the bell curve - have less than stellar results and few succeed. Do you?

Most of us don’t have a road map for business. Yet you need more than just a map or a strategic business plan, to be truly successful with your plan you must measure your results and adjust.

You need to have the pulse of your business at your fingertips all the time. Most people refer to the business pulse as “key performance indicators.” If I asked you what

Harlan S. Kahn is a CPA and a profitability consultant with Paris Accounting Corp (ParisAC.com) in Bayside, and author of Fix the Tax Code Please. He earned his accounting degree from Queens College in 1986, has lectured for the IRS, Queens LIBOR, National Allied Professionals, and others.

14

your company’s key performance indicators are, could you tell me?

Can you tell me which lines of business are most profitable or least profitable? Can you sum up how you differentiate yourself in the market place in a couple of sentences?

To boil it down, without a specific destination any road will take you there, which means allowing circumstances to make your future gives you a non-specific future.

Defining exactly and specifically the quality of life you aspire to and the income to support it allows you

to make your own future. Once you have exacting and specific goals, you can work your way backwards from where you want to be to where you are and create a road map.

In business we call this a strategic action plan. Once you have a strategic action plan, you need to stay on the right track and monitor key performance indicators.

This kind of approach is proactive and responds to market changes and business needs, as opposed to being reactive and always putting out the biggest fires and bandaids on problems.

For more information, contact me at Harlan@ParisAC.com.

HELP LL COOL J HELP KIDS

The Queens Chamber of Commerce is partnering with LL Cool J’s Jump & Ball Foundation, and is seeking assistance from the local business community in sponsorships for the 14th Annual Summer Camp.

All dollars go directly toward providing a 100 percent free summer camp experience for 200 campers, including shirts, equip-

ment, food, water, park maintenance, and camp staff.

This is an excellent opportunity to provide assistance to children in southeast Queens, as well as getting your company noticed in the national spotlight.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, reach out to Erin Faulkner at erin.faulkner@ llcooljinc.com.

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

EXPERT ADVICE

CAN I REFUSE SERVICE BASED ON DIFFERING VIEWS? A Q&A WITH JAMES HENRY DUNNE, ESQ. On June 22, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked to leave The Red Hen, a restaurant in Lexington, Virginia, because co-owner Stephanie Wilkinson said she disagreed with the current policies Ms. Huckabee Sanders defends.

Was Stephanie Wilkinson within her legal rights to ask Sarah Huckabee Sanders to leave the restaurant?

To the best of my knowledge, no federal laws prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation in places of public accommodation.

Some states have laws that provide such protections. Pursuant to the laws in the state of Virginia, it appears that the restaurant owner was within their rights to do so.

However, in other places, including New York, this would not have been within the restaurant owner’s rights. New York has statutes that prohibit discrimination based on political (or social) affiliation of consumers. As for the Commonwealth of Virginia, its laws appear to prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of political affiliation; for example, to which political party an individual might belong. It does not appear, however, to have anything that applies to consumers.

Are there specific instances when a business owner can always refuse service to a customer?

You may refuse service for a number of reasons as long it is done fairly in a “biasneutral” manner. Some common examples: • Guest not properly dressed, unless a dress code has the intent or impact of discriminating against a protected group, like preventing certain religious clothing.

• Guest is visibly intoxicated.

• Guest is harassing other guests or employees.

• Establishment is fully occupied.

• Non-paying guests or the inability to pay for goods or services.

• Inadequate hygiene.

• If serving guest would interfere with the safety and well-being of other guests.

A business might try to argue that Ms. Huckabee Sanders’ presence might have incited violence, but that clearly was not what the restaurant gave as its reason in its written statement.

A place of public accommodation may take reasonable actions to prevent a hostile environment. That said, while a place of public accommodation in certain states may or may not refuse service based on political affiliation,

it may choose not to serve a guest if they Restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality reasonably believe that the guest is hostile sectors welcome guests from around the world toward other patrons based on race, religion, every day. Many come from places and countries sex, or other protected characteristics. with human rights records and political leanings In this case, the guest gave that are far from the values of no reason for the owner to this country. reasonably feel that way.

Does this mean that we When refusing to serve decline reservations from these individuals with a particular guests? Or ask whether they affiliation, the business policy align with those beliefs before must be neutral. Thus, it can we check them in? Can a be argued that if Ms. Huckabee vegan waiter, sincerely against Sanders was in the restaurant animal cruelty, refuse to serve with a sign supporting you a burger because of his or President Trump (or anything/ her values and beliefs? If that anyone else, for that matter), is the case, the waiter should the business could have asked find another industry to work her to leave, since it might in.

J.H. Dunne, Esq., is a deter others from walking in the For a business owner, where professor of Hospitality restaurant, ultimately inhibiting is the line between how you Studies at NYIT. the business’ profitability. run your business and moral Any bias-neutral and convictions? reasonable attempt at preventing I feel that hospitality is this would be considered a “legitimate business universal, and it should be provided in an interest” as long as that person is not being unbiased manner. Many say “the customer is denied because of a particular protected class or always right.” I do not necessarily agree, but I group affiliation. do strongly believe you have to treat them as if From a hospitality perspective, was it a good they are always right. The Ritz Carlton motto is idea to ask Huckabee Sanders to leave the something I always fall back on: “We are ladies restaurant? and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.”

I feel that this was unprofessional and Ms. Huckabee Sanders did nothing in that inappropriate. If this were acceptable, where restaurant to incite this. Whether I align with her would the line then be drawn? Would it just politically or not, she deserved a meal served be up to an owner to decide on whether or not hospitably to her and her family. Whether to serve a guest? What about the manager? you are a Hollywood actor, sports celebrity, Supervisor? Would each and every employee business owner, or anyone else, I strongly feel then be able to assess whether or not they want that inserting yourself into political discussion to serve a guest? can only adversely impact your profitability and Would it go beyond politics to other values long-term success. and beliefs? What about other industries?

Restaurants are places to “get away” from your What about colleges, for example? Would it be troubles, not places for them to be re-ignited. As appropriate to screen college applicants based a business operator, you should rise above it. In on political, social, or other values or beliefs? the fall of 2016, if you walked into a restaurant What about diversity of thought? Was it right to with a Sanders shirt, Johnson shirt, Stein shirt, pass this judgment onto Ms. Huckabee Sanders’ Clinton shirt, or Trump shirt, you should have family (including young minor children) that been given service by management and staff were with her? with a smile.

What impact might this have on the restaurant’s What do you do if you’re a co-owner and you business? Was this actually a savvy business don’t agree with your partner’s actions? decision to raise its popularity among certain As an attorney, if I had drawn up their constituents? partnership agreement, I would have included a This restaurant may see a short-term spike in morals clause that would have addressed matters diners who have similar beliefs, but in the long such as this. The clause includes a stipulation run, history has shown it will mostly have an that a partner cannot bring the business or adverse impact. Those Yelp and Google ratings partners into disrepute, contempt, or scandal, never do go away, and as time passes, people providing the other partners the legal foundation will only see those ratings and not remember to remove this particular partner in violation of this situation. the agreement.

15

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS AUGUST 8/7, 3 PM

RUNNING A PROFITABLE COMPANY

This discussion provides some simple profitability ratios and analytical procedures that can help determine your company’s present and future financial standing. With your findings, you can identify trends and compare current figures to historical performance. The guest speaker will be Stuart Harker, vice president of Commercial Lending Group at TD Bank.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 8/7, 6 to 8 PM

AUGUST BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

A fantastic opportunity to relax and do some networking after a long day at the office. Also, a chance to check out Cobblestones’ outdoor Biergarten.

Cobblestones Pub 117-18 Queens Blvd.

Forest Hills, NY 11357

8/8, 3 to 5 PM

HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

256-04 Union Turnpike Glen Oaks, NY 11004 8/14, 3 to 6 PM

HEALTHCARE 101: Come and learn all you need to INSURANCE BASICS FOR sell your goods and services to SMALL BUSINESSES the nation’s largest school system, with over 1,700 schools, 1.1 million students and 138,000 city employees. Learn how to market your business, qualify as a vendor, and about available resources for M/WBE’s FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Library 21-45 31st Street, 2nd Floor Astoria, NY 11102 8/9, 3 PM

MEDICAL MARIJUANA NYS REGULATIONS SEMINAR

Hosted by Curaleaf and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the event is intended to bring together our Queens-based educational resources to offer you the best medical and pharmacist recommendations and choices, in the hopes of creating new business connections and resources.

Queens Library

Hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce Healthcare and Wellness Committee, this panel discussion is intended to be the first in a series of events designed to acclimate and educate small businesses in the world of healthcare and wellness.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Plaza College 118-33 Queens Blvd.

Forest Hills, NY 11357 8/22, 6 to 8 PM

ROOFTOP NETWORKING AT BOURBON STREET

A fantastic opportunity to meet fellow business owners and Members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Come prepared with business cards and information about your company to share with others.

Bourbon Street 40-12 Bell Blvd.

Bayside, NY 11361

SEPTEMBER 9/17, 12 to 5 PM

EXPORTING TO ASIA

An export seminar for U.S. based companies, focused on developing and managing sales opportunities in China and South Korea.

FREE Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel 135-20 39th Ave. Flushing, NY 11354 9/17, 6 to 8 PM

BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE - KARAOKE NIGHT

A fantastic opportunity to relax and belt out some tunes after a long day at the office. Free appetizers and first drink on the house.

Resorts World Casino 110-00 Rockaway Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11420 9/19, 9 AM

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 101

This course will help you better understand the meaning of intellectual property and steps business owners can take in protecting the intellectual property of their business. The guest speaker will be Nancy Intagliata, relationship manager Queens Commercial Lending at TD Bank.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 9/26, 6 PM

STEPS TO HOME OWNERSHIP - FINANCE

State Senator Tony Avella recently presented a $125,000 check to the Queens Chamber of Commerce to assist with the group’s outreach and business education initiatives in the borough. “We need to make it easier for small businesses and startups not only to start their businesses here, but to remain here,” said Avella at a check presentation at Chamber headquarters in Jackson Heights.

This workshop is intended for business owners and the public in general who are seeking financing to either buy a home, commercial property and start or grow their business. The guest speaker will be Lucien Lapierre of TD Bank.

FREE Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens CDC 60-20 Woodside Ave., 2nd Floor Woodside, NY 11377

For any registration or more information on these events or any other events please call us at 718.898.8500 or visit us on the web queenschamber.org

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August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

TECHNOLOGY OPS21 GIVES MANUFACTURERS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

BY MICHAEL DEVIGNE Manufacturers in New York City face enormous obstacles.

Locally, they contend with real estate pressures and escalating lease rates, high taxes and burdensome regulations.

Macroeconomic forces, including the lure of cheap overseas labor and possible tariff-induced supply chain disruptions are omnipresent.

But there are some new tools available to help manufacturers remain competitive in an exceedingly challenging and complicated economy.

Ops21 is a multifaceted program designed to help NYC manufacturers learn about and adopt advanced technologies, specifically, advanced materials, robotics, and digital manufacturing.

As part of the NYC Futureworks initiative, Ops21 aims to help manufacturers embrace advanced technologies and increase local production.

The program, which is jointly managed by the Industrial Technology Assistance Corporation (ITAC) and the city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), is providing work-

Michael Devigne is an Industrial Business Account Manager for the Business Outreach Center Network (BOCNET), and a Coordinator for the Maspeth Industrial Business Association (MIBA).

shops led by technical experts from Cornell University, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and the Rochester Institute of Technology.

EWI, a premier engineering and technology organization, will also lead a deep dive assessment to help a manufacturer develop a detailed technology roadmap.

Earlier this year the Maspeth Industrial Business Association (MIBA), a project of the Business Outreach Center Network (BOC), and other partner organizations surveyed over 150 manufacturing businesses city-wide.

Based on feedback, Ops21 workshops have been specifically designed to help businesses identify technologies that will best enable them to optimize operations and increase competitiveness. The program is hosting 24 free workshops for manufacturers between June and October of this year.

Through our outreach we helped manufacturers understand how advanced technologies could be relevant to their operations.

Many food producers, for example, were unaware that advanced materials could be used to transform food sources into products with novel effects, including longer shelf life, enhanced flavor, and greater nutritional value.

We informed craft producers about how additive manufacturing (3D printing) could enhance rather than substitute or replace traditional production techniques while also offering additional possibilities for customization.

What has recently been dubbed “the digital handmade” is a concept that some of the most innovative furniture designers are beginning to employ in their own studios.

Though armed with new knowledge and techniques, city manufacturers may still have difficulty

implementing advanced manufacturing capabilities. In this pursuit, though, manufacturers can apply for a Workforce Development Institute (WDI) Grant to help fund the expenses with adopting these new technologies.

The grant is generally $2,000 to $20,000, and is awarded in instances when a business project or initiative is expected to result in job creation or increase worker skills. WDI also considers if the project or initiative makes the business more competitive, or can be defined as a unique opportunity for that business.

Manufacturers should also consider leveraging the Customized Training Grant. NYC Small Business Services will cover up to 70 percent of the cost ($400,000 maximum) to help businesses invest in their employees. For manufacturers looking to train employees on new equipment or

60% of Shoppers are in the 18-34 Age Range

73% are Female 38% have Children

software, the Customized Training Grant could be a crucial source of funding.

Ops21 workshops will raise awareness about advanced manufacturing technologies and its relevance to NYC businesses.

But knowledge is only the first step. As manufacturers integrate these new technologies into their operations employee training will become critical.

MIBA and BOC Network can help manufacturing businesses navigate financing options and grant opportunities that will help them remain competitive and grow.

For more information about upcoming Ops21 workshops visit ops21.nyc/events/b. To learn more about applying for WDI or Customized Training Grants, email mdevigne@bocnet.org.

Average Household Income is Nearly $70,000

Queens Center Shopper Spends Over 2 Hours and Over $110 Per Mall Visit

Reserve Your Spot Today John Scaturro

718-592-3901

John.Scaturro@Macerich.com

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella.

The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 652-2071 with any questions.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members.

Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as

well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Manager of Business Development: Tshering D. Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs.

BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services. They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.

Loans range from $500 to $50,000 with terms up to three years. Loan officers help clients with creating business plan and financial statements, and offer credit counseling to help clients understand, improve and repair credit. They offer workshops on small business management, social media, credit building and home ownership.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members.

Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.

The Jazz Thursday Free Outdoor Concerts will take place on Thursday, August 16, ( LA Blacksmith and Jazz Plus) and Thursday, August 23, (Spanglish Fly Band) at 7 p.m. on 70th Road between Queens Blvd. and Austin Street.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.

Litter in the area is rampant, and the chamber is making it a priority. The chamber is partnering

ANNUAL GOLF

OUTING AND DINNER MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 Office Space for Rent in Whitestone Garden City Country Club, 206 Stewart Ave, Garden City, New York 11530 ADMISSION INCLUDES

• Third floor officeLUNCH, space Greens Fee, CART, BREAKFAST, COCKTAILS AND DINNER BUFFET • • • • • • •

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Queens Open...............................$10,000

inFullelevator day packagebuilding for 8, tee and green sponsorship, pre/post publicity Ideal for medical, educational, and professional use 9:00 AM: Breakfast Masters.........................................$5,000 Close to major highwaysFull and bridges Day Package for 4, tee & green sponsorship, 10:30 AM: Registration pre/post publicity 1,400 sq Shotgun /ft private 12:30 PM: Start water-view terrace included Dinner Sponsor..............................$3,000 5:00 PM:parking Cocktail Hour/Dinner On-site included Signs & banner. pre/post publicity, tee sign Awards/Silent 2,366 sq/ft Auction/Raffles (divisible) Brunch Sponsor.............................$2,500 Signs & banner. pre/post publicity, tee sign $28 sq/ft + GUEST CAM SPECIAL HONOREE Cart Sponsor..................................$2,000 Cartnational signs & banner, pre/post publicity, tee sign Co-tenancy with successful daycare franchise Congressman Joseph Crowley

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Contact Foursome......................................$1,700 + Tee Signage Mail to: 718.746.0094 Queens Chamber of Commerce Foundation Tee or Green Sponsor.......................$200 75-20 Astoria Blvd.

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Banad Law Offices, PC 718.361.5999 banadlaw.com

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES with the city for locations for up to 50 new garbage cans in Downtown Flushing.

The Annual Members’ Exhibition will take place on Friday, August 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard. Visual artist members of Flushing Town Hall show their work in this exhibition, which is a yearly tradition.

Most artworks are for sale; proceeds support the Visual Arts program and local artists. $5 suggested donation/Free for members and students.

On July 11, the Chamber-organized Greenmarket returned to Maple Playground at 136-50 Maple Avenue. The market will be open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until November 28.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 www.gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members.

GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan

growth. Upcoming events include: • Pop-Up Art at Parsons: J Expressions Mobile Library: Wednesday, August 1, and Wednesday, August 15, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Parsons Public Space, Parsons Blvd. between Archer and Jamaica Avenues. Join us for a series of free art and literary activities • Corn Roast: a free Farmers Market event on Saturday, August 11, from 1 a.m to 2 p.m. at 90-40 160th Street Jamaica. For more info call 718.297.4708 or email arampersad@gjdc.org • Caribbean Carnival on Saturday, August 18, at 11 a.m. It starts in the Rockaways at Beach 20th Street and Sea Girt Blvd. and ends at Bayswater Park at 701 Bay 32nd St. • Pop-Up Art at Parsons: Pulp Mobile DIY Papermaking: Wednesday, August 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Parsons Public Space, Parsons Blvd. between Archer and Jamaica Avenues.

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID 84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with

more than 350 businesses under its umbrella.

On Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street, the BID features six supermarkets.

They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans. The BID is already planning for its annual street fair on Jamaica Avenue, which this year takes place on September 30.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamaicaAvenue QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the district includes 300 stores on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 160th Street in Jamaica. They offer a value card and support business owners in their expansions and openings.

Valerie Stevens is director of Business Services and Operations, supporting member businesses in their marketing efforts. Stevens has been focusing on social media to assist with branding and expansion. The BID is currently looking for a sponsor for their banners and trash can program along

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES Jamaica Avenue. Upcoming events include: • Foreclosure Prevention Workshop: Wednesday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at 90-04 160th Street.

The event will include information on NHSJ services, what foreclosure is, liquidation options, etc.

• All Nations Apostolic Tabernacle (ANAT) Community Street Fair on July 21 at 9 a.m. at 89-28 Parsons Boulevard. Health Screenings include Hypertension, Mammogram, Prostate, Cholesterol. Activities include games, prizes, Bouncy house, face painting, puppet show.

cated to the airport business community, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year. Upcoming events include: The Chamber’s next monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 8, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Port Authority Building 14. Guests are welcome but must RSVP. Light Breakfast will be served.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members.

JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedi-

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those

already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixeduse community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

The next chamber meeting is on Tuesday, July 10, at noon at Connolly’s Corner, 71-15 Grand Avenue. The majority of their budget is spent on holiday lights, banners, beautification and festivals, including replacing the street banners on Grand Avenue. There has recently been a push to form a BID on Grand Avenue, which is being supported by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

SUNNYSIDE ARCH SHINES AGAIN WITH NEW LED SYSTEM

BY BENJAMIN FANG When 7 train riders, Queens Boulevard shoppers, and Sunnyside residents pass by the Sunnyside Arch at night, they’ll see it lit up again.

Sunnyside Shines, the local business improvement organization, announced last Thursday that they have completed a $15,000 project to refurbish the iconic arch and sign that have come to symbolize the neighborhood.

Executive director Jaime-Faye Bean joined Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, whose office provided the funding, to celebrate the first lighting since the renovation. Bean selected rainbow colors to give a “belated nod” to LGBT Pride Month, which was in June.

“This is a big step for the neighborhood,” she said. “We look forward to stewarding the arch and to really restore it to its place in the community as an important landmark, and something we use to acknowledge and celebrate the many occasions in this neighborhood that are meaningful to us.”

As part of the project, Sunnyside Shines replaced the sign that was first installed in 1983.

Bean said they cut the new sign with a laser to make it look exactly like the original sign.

They also replaced the last remnants of the arch’s neon lighting, which was not energy efficient and presented a fire hazard, with new LED lights.

“It’s some of the best and most advanced that’s available right now,” Bean said. “It is also very energy efficient.”

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Sunnyside business leaders get ready to show off the new lights at a ceremony last month.

Van Bramer paid tribute to Lily Gavin and Luke Adams, two longtime civic leaders who helped erect and maintain the Sunnyside Arch decades ago.

He said the new lighting system will allow the arch to be different colors on holidays and

occasions, including green for St. Patrick’s Day, rainbow for LGBT Pride Month, and red, white and blue for July 4th.

“It’s going to give just that extra special touch that allows us to feel even more pride in our community,” Van Bramer said.

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth.

They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

MIBA is hosting the Ops21 Technology Workshop: Digital Manufacturing on Wednesday, August 1, from 8:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m. at the LIC Conference Center, Queensboro Room, 41-21 27th Street, Long Island City.

This is a Digital Manufacturing Workshop which is intended to increases your general understanding of digital manufacturing technologies (e.g. sensors, data analytics, IoT, process simula-

tion, electronic work instructions, etc.) so that you can better identify which technologies may be most relevant to your company.

The Ops21 Technology Workshop: Advanced Materials will take place on Wednesday, August 8

(Time and location TBA). Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about how advanced technologies could benefit your business on a practical level.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35

businesses under its umbrella.

Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members.

The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

The Juniper Valley Park Concert Series returns on Tuesday, August 7, at 7 p.m. at 80th Street and Juniper Boulevard North with the band Generations. NYPD Night Out Against Crime takes place the same night at 5 p.m.

The August 21st show will feature Andy Cooney and his world famous Irish band.

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview.

Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is

Continue a Chocolate Tradition, or Start a New One

103-02 Metropolitan Ave. Forest Hills, NY Aignerchocolates.com Open 7 Days a Week 21

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES provided by the Ridgewood LDC. One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district. There are currently ten stores looking for tenants.

The BID’s Summer Sidewalk Sale will be held From August 2 to August 5

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens.

Funded by Department of Small Business Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-on-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events.

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses.

The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces. RBA seeks to create and curate an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy year round.

The Ferry Pop-Up Market will take place on August 25 at the B108 Ferry Landing.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members.

Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating longstanding partnerships with city and state agencies.

RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a five-member merchant advisory board.

RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront

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Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project.

With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts.

REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at RDRC, located at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

STEINWAY STREET BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members.

Board meetings are held seven times a year.

The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way.

The BID works to improve sanitation, marketing, security, holiday lighting, beautification and Internet access along this famous street in Queens.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Patricia Dorfman 718.729.4688 www.sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000.

The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella.

The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year. Upcoming events include: Beats in Bliss Plaza with Paul Maringelli & the Rockabilly Band is on Tuesday, August 21, from 4 to 7 pm at Bliss Plaza, 46-01 Queens Blvd. In this free event, local legend Paul Maringelli is bringing

back the Sunnyside Rock-a-Billy Band, along with fun games for kids and parents to enjoy.

Beats in Bliss Plaza with The Traditions is on Wednesday, August 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bliss Plaza. Relive the days of doo-wop battles under the ‘El’ with The Traditions.

NEW MEMBERS Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings are held by 200,000 shareholders in 131 countries and territories.

Staples #1575

90-30 Metroplitan Avenue Rego Park, NY 11374 staples.com 718.459.1295 Staples helps the world work better with solutions that deliver industry-leading products, services and expertise across office supplies, facilities, breakroom, furniture, technology, promotional products, and print and marketing services. The company supports businesses of all sizes from solopreneurs to the Fortune 100 and everything in between.

They meet customers where they are with everyday low prices across multiple channels, including direct sales, eCommerce, mobile, AI-powered “conversational commerce” and retail.

E Central Medical Management 2050 Lakeville Road New Hyde Park ecmmgt.com 516.775.8608 Unlike other billing companies, ECM offers senior level, personal attention. Company principals are committed to providing all their clients with personalized, fast and accurate service. They are accessible around the clock, seven days a week. They are laser-focused on maximizing your revenue and reimbursements from both insurance companies and patients. Their passionate attention to detail and relentless follow up have allowed them to enjoy a 95 percent client retention rate over the past 15 years, a net collection ratio of 88 percent and a denial ratio of less than 3 percent, all tops in the industry. Internally, we foster a culture of excellence, encouraging our employees to engage in continuing education as well as health and wellness activities. Creating a positive work environment supports our corporate commitment to client satisfaction. They serve Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, New York City and beyond.

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

The Heskel Group HSBC Bank Cactus Holdings Inc. Mikkeller Brewing NYC Staples #1575 E Central Medical Management INTRODUCTORY

Kumon Math & Reading Center of Rego Park Broadway Energy Inc. Queensmade LLC MassMutual Metro New York Act First Consulting Cinderella Travel Corp.

SharpLens Photography APS Pension & Financial Services Algomus Mason Eye Surgery Center Houlihan Lawrence Commercial Group St. Michael’s Catholic Academy SAMAR LL Cool J Inc. AllDay Industry New York Life The Heskel Group

70-10 Austin St # 103 Forest Hills, NY 11375 heskelgroup.com 917.545.3777 From site selection, design and construction through leasing and management, The Heskel Group does it all, in-house and hands-

on. Encompassing entertainment centers, business and professional offices, retail stores and medical centers, The Heskel Group has earned a reputation as an extremely efficient builder, with an unblemished record of on-time, withinbudget completion. A pioneer in the introduction of triple A business tenants to the Austin Street neighborhood, The Group focuses on handsome, efficiently designed buildings, sensitive to community needs. The Heskel Group’s overall objective is not just growth, but quality growth, continuing to bring the prestige of Manhattan without the price.

Cactus Holdings Inc

47-05 Metropolitan Avenue Ridgewood, NY 11385 cactusholdings.com 917.337.4654 Cactus Holdings employs over 3,000 people and owns over two million square feet of NYC real estate, with over 30 Retail store locations and over 1,000 weekly wholesale customers.

Their retail locations serve over 900,000 people weekly, largely of Hispanic, Caribbean, West Indian and African American descent. Their origins trace back to 1906, when they began as a series of small, local butcher shops. While the company has certainly grown since then, Cactus Holdings maintains its proud heritage and strives to remain an integral part of the communities and families of the communities that surround their business and help it grow. Cactus holdings operates businesses in a variety of different fields, from real estate to meat/produce distribution to retail supermarkets and brand development. All their businesses have a target demographic of inner-city ethnic customers.

They not only serve the community, but it is the people from them that make up our organization and keep us growing.

Mikkeller Brewing NYC

123-01 Roosevelt Ave Flushing, NY 11368 mikkellernyc.com 718.766.2717 Mikkeller, and its founder Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, are proud to announce their first East Coast brewery, Mikkeller Brewing NYC (a.k.a Mikkeller NYC). MKNYC opened March 2018 at Citi Field. Mikkeller, the renowned Denmarkbased gypsy brewery, opened its first U.S. Brewery in San Diego in 2016 and has been looking for the right opportunity to create an East Coast brewery ever since. Following the success of Mikkeller’s ballpark beers (Henry Hops and Say Hey Sally) at Citi Field this season, Bjergsø jumped at the opportunity to make Flushing the New York City hub for Mikkeller. Since launching Henry and Sally at Citi

Field in April, the Mikkeller team and Bjergsø have come to appreciate how baseball fans in Flushing are quite like Mikkeller fans around the world. Devotees like the 7 Line Army are fanatical about the quality and performance of their team and their community. They invest time, effort and emotion into supporting the orange-and-blue, and MKNYC looks forward to sharing this passion when they visit Mikkeller Brewing NYC. Their new location at Citi Field provides convenient year-round access for craft beer and food fans from the five boroughs and beyond. They are thrilled to be associated with this wonderful fan base, the Flushing and Willets Points neighborhoods and New York City.

HSBC Bank

257-15 Union Tpke Glen Oaks, NY 11004 us.hsbc.com 718.343.1564 HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations. They serve around 38 million customers through four global businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking. Their network covers 67 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America. With around 3,900 offices worldwide, they aim to be where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and ultimately helping people to fulfill their hopes and realize their ambitions.

Listed on the London, Hong Kong, New York, CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of QueensBorough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2017. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,712 (3,500). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 1,785 (532), Mail subscriptions, 611 (1,937), Total 2,396 (2,469). Free Distribution By mail 187 (400), By other means 0 (0), Total 187 (400). Total distribution 2,583 (2,869), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 1,129 ( 6 3 1 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,712 (3,500), Percent paid 92.76 (86.05).

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

23

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Howard Graf

Fran Biderman-Gross

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu Nash Roe

Mayra DiRico

Secretary

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Brett Swanson

Financial Controller

Fatena Williams

Business Development Associate

Membership Outreach Coordinator & Member Engagement

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr John E. Roe, Sr. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow Adam Cohen

Carol Conslato Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Thomas Eagar Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf

Raymond Irrera Peter Klein Kenneth Koenig Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Michael Moran Michael Onghai Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe

Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson

Henry Wan Swain Weiner Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS AARP ABS Partner Real Estate Age Well New York AKI Development Alma Realty Corp.

Aloft Long Island City Manhattan View Hotel Aloft Hotel New York LaGuardia Airport Alphapointe Altria Client Services Inc. Amna Construction Corp.

AmTrust Title Anchin, Block & Anchin Ashnu International, Inc. ATCO Properties & Management Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP Bank of America Bank United Berkeley College Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, PC Bethpage Federal Credit Union Better Home Health Care Borchert & LaSpina, PC Boro Hotel Boyce Technologies Inc. Broadway Stages Capital One Bank Cathay Bank Care Connect Insurance Co. Inc. Carmel Car & Limo Service CDS Mestel Construction Center for Automotive

Education & Training Cerini & Associates Certilman Balin Champion Elevators Chaney Construction & Development Charles Schwab Ciampa Organization City MD City Scrap Metal Cleaning Systems Co. Clickable CoAdvantage Constant Contact Construction Safety Network Inc. Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Costco Wholesale Court 16, Inc. Courtyard New York CPEX Real Estate Crown Container Cumming Corporation Curaleaf Cushman & Wakefield FedCap D&B Engineers & Architects, PC Daniels Norelli Cecere & Tavel PC DY Reality Services, LLC Dignity Memorial Funeral Provides of Queens E. Gluck Corporations East Coast Energy Group

Edible Arrangements Elite Palace Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Co. Empire Merchants EMU Health Services, LLC. Enterprise Holdings EXIT Realty New York Metro Fabini Cohen & Hall, LLP Fantasy Forest Amusement Park Farrell Fritz, PC Fedcap Fidelis Care New York Financial Resources Brup Investment Services LLC Firecom, Inc. First American International Bank First Central Savings Bank Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Gerard T Dolan Agency Farmers Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Queens Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Inc. Greiner-Maltz of NY GUM Studios HF Management Services Haks Hanover Community Bank Healthplex, Inc. Health Republic Insurance Healthy Corner Pharmacy, Inc. Hilton Garden Inn/ LIC Manhattan View

Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suite LIC Hyatt Place Flushing Ibis Styles New York LaGuardia Airport Hotel INDA Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry International Asbestos Removal Inc. J.F.A. Insurance Brokerage JRT Realty Group, Inc. James F. Capalino & Associates Jaros Baum & Bolles Jetro Resataurant Depot JustWorks KMK Restorations, LLC Kasirer Consulting Inc Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kimco Realty Corporation Klein Wealth Management HighTower LaGuardia Plaza Hotel La Technology Group Lee & Associates Levine Builders Lessing’s Inc. Luna Park in Coney Island Lyft Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M&T Bank M&V Provisions Co, Inc. MCR Development LLC MTA-Long Island Rail Road Madeline Chocolate Novelties Marriott NYC Airport Hotels Mazars USA LLP Merritt Engineering Consult-

ing PC Metroplus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board of Trade Melrose Credit Union Metro Franchising Commissary Molloy College Mortgage Depot Moses & Singer LLP Motiva Networks Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corporation Muss Development Company National Supermarket Association Newtown Creek Trusted PRI USD New York Building Congress New York Life New York Oil Heaing Association Inc. New York Racing Association Northfield Bank Northwell Health Northwestern Mutual NY Building Congress OnForce Solar Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehab Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates People’s United Bank Petro Energy Solutions Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associations, Inc.

Prager Metis CPAs, LLC Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage Progressive Waste Solutions Qside Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corp.

Queens Center Queens Ledger Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank Radisson Hotel JFK Airport Register Abstract Co. Inc. Related Retail LP Rent A Throne Royal Waste Services Inc. Russo’s On The Bay SL Green Realty Corp.

Sahn Ward Coshchignano PLLC Sandrine Capital LLC Seagis Property Group Sears Maid Service Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sleep Numbers Solomon Agency St. John’s University Staples #1722 Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies PC Suffolk County National Bank Suation Solar Systems Super-Tek, Products, Inc.

Sutton Alliance Terrace on the Park Thales USA, Inc. The Durst Organization The New York Times The Parc Hotel Trinity Solar TSC Training Academy LLC Tully Construction Co. Inc. United Airlines United Health Care United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public, Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Valley National Bank Van Guard Insurance Agency Verizon VHB Engineering Surveying & Landscape Architecture Vic Kesser Signs, LTD Victory Pharmacy Villa Russo Venture House Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of NY LLC Watchguard 24/7 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Welllife Network WeWork York College Zwanger Pesiri Radiology LLP

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com ENERGY Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com James Sheuchenko PM Advisors js@pmadvisors.co HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Evangeline Rosado-Tripp Queens County Medical Society ertripp@queensmedicalsociety.org

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HOSPITALITY Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Michael Zayas Real Hospitality Group michael.zayas@rhgcorp.com MANUFACTURING Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com NONPROFIT Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org

Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com REAL ESTATE Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang G8 Real Estate / Flushing Chamber mwang121@gmail.com TECHNOLOGY Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Eugene Erichsen Connect Me Voice Eugene@connectmevoice.com

TRANSPORTATION Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com Tammy Petsios VHB tpetsios@vhb.com We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information.

We reserve the right to edit for space limitations.

Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

August 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 8 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

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