Support Mom & Pop in the Time of Corona

The coronavirus shutdown has shuttered the restaurants, shops, and bars of New York City. Our independent mom and pops are struggling to survive--and they absolutely may not be here when the crisis is over. Imagine coming out of quarantine to find a totally vanished New York, all your favorite bookshops and restaurants, bars and cafes gone forever. This is your chance to take action and help save our vital and beloved spaces.

This list is a place to start--and crowd source. Add your favorites in the comments--but be sure to include contact information and links that include info about ways to easily make donations or place orders from home. I will update this list as much as possible. As always, patronize your neighborhood places--order take-out or pick up, buy gift certificates, and make donations--you could choose one per day and keep them in rotation as part of your daily routine.

Until our elected officials figure out it's time to pass legislation to protect small businesses, let's get together and #SaveNYC--we are all in this together. 




Manhattan

Gem Spa
Support this famous corner store in the East Village
Visit: GoFundMe
Buy merchandise: Gem Spa

B&H Dairy
Donate to help pay employees, rent, and utilities
Visit: GoFundMe

Three Lives & Co. Books
Free hand-delivery of books within the West Village, shipping via UPS to anywhere in the country. Call 212.741.2069 or send an email (info@threelives.com) to order books remotely.

Marie's Crisis Piano Bar
Virtually open via Facebook with live music and sing-alongs
Visit: Facebook -- tip your piano players!

Arturo's
Support this gorgeous Village pizza place, bar, and music venue (since 1957) by ordering delivery, pick-up, and cocktails to go. You can also buy gift cards.
Visit: 106 West Houston St. at Thompson, and call 212-677-3820


photo: Mary Clarke

Bureau of General Services Queer Division
Make a tax-deductible donation to this LGBTQ bookstore in the Village. You can also order books and have them shipped to you. Send an email to CONTACT@BGSQD.COM with the details of your order. They can take Venmo, Paypal, or a credit card over the phone.
Visit: Website

McNally Jackson Bookstore
You can buy gift cards and order delivery
Visit: Website
And support the laid-off workers of McNally Jackson here

Bluestockings
Make a donation to this collectively run bookstore and activist event space on the Lower East Side
Visit: Website
You can also buy gift certificates for later purchases

Film Forum
Donate or become a member
Visit: Website

Cinema Village
Buy gift cards to this classic independent movie theater, become a member, make a donation
Visit: Website

Village East Cinema
Gift cards via City Cinemas
Visit: Website

Economy Candy
Order candy online
Visit: website

Staff Fundraisers for closed bars:

Find your favorite place and tip your bartenders each time you drink at home!

Julius' Bar
Visit: Gofundme

Dream Baby
Visit: GoFundMe

Otto's Shrunken Head
Visit: GoFundMe


Brooklyn

The Double Windsor
Help support their employees
Visit: GoFundMe

The Gate
Help support their employees
Visit: GoFundMe

Queens

Neir's Tavern
New York's oldest bar now offers take-out and curbside options
Visit: Menu


Bronx

Staten Island



More Things You Can Do:

- Tip your delivery people very well--they are risking their health to keep working for you

- Virtually tip your favorite bartenders (here's a list)

- Buy movie theater passes that you will use in the After Time

- Avoid Amazon and order delivery from local shops

- Avoid the chain grocers and shop from your local mom and pop -- they have all the toilet paper

- Now is the time to demand action from your local elected officials. Write to your city council member and tell them to pass legislation immediately to protect mom and pop. There's the Small Business Jobs Survival Act (click here and here for more information and ways to take action from home) and the Commercial Rent Stabilization bill (click here to take action from home) to choose from.