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City Tutors partners with Bloomberg for mentors program

webadmin on March 9, 2022

The City Tutors deliver free professional mentorship to NYC college students and professionals

By Jessica Meditz
jmeditz@queensledger.com

The City Tutors, a nonprofit dedicated to providing tutoring and mentorship services to historically underserved communities, recently announced their partnership with Bloomberg LP on their City Mentors Program.
The City Mentors Program was founded as The City Tutors’ second initiative, offering tailored professional mentorships for college students and recent alumni across the five boroughs.
The program is free and acts as a self-paced program where a student, recent graduate or career changer can sign up and ask for a mentor from their area of interest.
In partnership with The City Tutors, Bloomberg provided 100 mentors from across its divisions, including finance, data, marketing, sustainability and technology, to work with City Mentees.
Garri Rivkin, founder and executive director of The City Tutors, said the desire to widen students’ perspectives is what helped the partnership with Bloomberg LP come to fruition.
He emphasized that in order to provide that, a wide breadth of choices are needed and Bloomberg was the outlet to fulfill that.
“Bloomberg is an obvious choice because it has deep ties and has so many areas that it covers,” Rivkin said.
“We were fortunate that we were able to make the connection through some of our other partners and build our relationship to the point that we now have 100 mentors.”
There is a 600-person mentor pool in the City Mentors Program. When an applicant submits their form, potential mentors that can best suit their needs are identified, and mentees select and connect with them.
All sessions are held remotely on Zoom, lasting between 30 minutes and an hour.
In addition to one-on-one sessions, the program also hosts virtual events with corporate partners including Sidley Austin LLP, Citi, Shearman & Sterling, Riskified and ViacomCBS.
“The big thing for us is exposure, making sure students are able to get connected with somebody who is going to give them insight into the field, but is also going to become a possible contact for them,” Rivkin said.
“That way, the information that folks typically just assume people have as they go into decision making is available to the communities that are most in need.”
The City Tutors was formed as a startup at CUNY Colin Powell School for Civic And Global Leadership.
Having served as director of academic support there, Rivkin spearheaded the organization and initially developed a presence in the Harlem area and eventually, across the entire city.
As an immigrant from Lithuania and a CUNY alumnus himself, Rivkin knew the struggles of having little to no guidance when it came to his academic and professional success.
“My journey was atypical. As a student, I was around other students that I didn’t realize were having a lot more trouble,” he said.
“There were a lot of students who had competing priorities, and the hiddenness of resources along with the fact that they didn’t meet a professor who took an interest in them, made them stop or delay their graduation,” he continued.
“Or they were not positioned for the next step forward in what we typically think of as the ideal timeline.”
Rivkin has always been interested in education and how people learn, and naturally gravitated toward teaching.
He has worked at CUNY and across other institutions, community colleges, vocational schools and private schools. He also worked in career services as a supporting career counselor and running a resume clinic.
Seeing the disparities in resources provided to students seeking professional assistance and tutoring was the starting point for building The City Tutors.
“It was in response to the fact that there were gaps,” he said of forming the nonprofit.
“There were opportunities to leverage resources better, and there was a lot of interest in students using their own knowledge to support their classmates that could actually serve as a way for them to more practically and impactfully use their skills and their content knowledge that they wanted to use once they got into the workforce. It also allowed for the community broadly to be involved in the process.”
Rivkin connected with other working professionals who wanted to devote their free time to give back to the community through tutoring, which also leveraged their professional experience in support of students.
“Having access to information about what kind of work and how it can complement their education is what was an important thing to kind of bring together, and it was something that was lacking in the system.”
Since mid-March 2020, the City Mentors Program facilitated 1,770 mentorships and over 3,500 sessions. The City Tutors program delivered 4,000 hours for 400 students over the last year.
Rivkin said he’s grateful to be able to provide students and professionals with resources he and others did not have access to when he attended school.
“As someone who didn’t have anybody around me who could help, and who was around a lot of people who were having the same situation, having a formalized structure that can work and build on the resources being channeled into the public spaces, creates enough space for students and learners in New York to move forward on their journey professionally and intellectually,” he said.

Vaccine clinic at Maspeth High School

webadmin on March 9, 2022

Almost 80 percent of students fully vaccinated

By Evan Triantafilidis

evant@queensledger.com

Maspeth High School held an all-day COVID-19 clinic, offering vaccines, boosters, and both rapid and PCR tests for students and community members.

The mobile vaccine van, operated by the New York City Department of Health, was parked outside the school last Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with students voluntarily lining up after school to receive their first, second, or booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

Recently released data from the health department shows that 82.5 percent of students at Maspeth High have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 78 percent are considered fully vaccinated.

The school reported only six cases of COVID-19 during the month of February, which is a 97 percent reduction in cases compared to January.

Justin Spiro, a social worker at Maspeth High, said that the vaccine clinic was an opportunity to increase accessibility to the free shots.

“It’s not just about servicing the school, but the community as well,” Spiro said.

For Jakub Sulinski, a senior at Maspeth High, nearly half of his high school experience has been during the pandemic. He says that his school has done an adequate job of providing students with resources, even when remote learning was the only option.

“A lot of people didn’t like Zoom and stuff like that, but I feel like people would have gone mad if it wasn’t for it,” Sulinski said. “The socializing keeps us sane.”

He said that the cancellation of the Regents exam in January added to the craziness of his last year of high school.

“Two years just disappeared,” Spiro said. “But we have to do what we have to do to help society as a whole.”

Ridgewood’s biggest eye-sore: 614 Woodward Avenue

webadmin on March 9, 2022

By Jessica Meditz
jmeditz@queensledger.com

Known for its eye-catching architecture, swanky cafes and rich cultural history, Ridgewood is a community appreciated by lifelong residents and first-time visitors alike.
But for residents who live and work on Woodward Avenue, it’s a nightmare.
614 Woodward Avenue is a large, corner side abandoned property that is boarded up with construction fences and sidewalk sheds.
It is owned by Silvershore Properties, a company whose former owner, Jonathan Cohen, was labeled “New York City’s worst landlord” by Attorney General Letitia James during her time as the former public advocate of NYC back in 2017.
Since 2018, the property has racked up 28 violations from the Department of Buildings, adding up to a total of over $200,000 in fines.
The tickets are issued to Silvershore Properties as well as another individual named Dawny Martinez.
As per the Department of Buildings, both parties failed to show up in court and pay their fines.
In the meantime, the property has acted as an unofficial dumping ground for people to leave their trash, inviting rats and other creatures to wreak havoc.
Gary Giordano, district manager of Queens Community Board 5, said the site has been an issue in the community for several years, ever since Sehy Carson Funeral Home went out of business.
“I remember we had to get the Department of Buildings over there because people were squatting there. We eventually got that taken care of, but I don’t know of any real legitimate use of that property for more than seven years,” Giordano said.
“I will say that I have not known it to be the dumping accumulation problem it has been lately,” he continued.
“When I started at this job 32 plus years ago, nobody was complaining about illegal dumping.”
Giordano said that he has reached out to the Department of Sanitation to clean up the mess, and they do, but people continue to leave their garbage there.
Angela Mirabile, executive director of Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation (GRRC), a nonprofit that focuses on preserving Ridgewood, said that she’s received numerous complaints from residents about the site and its sanitation issues.
She is unsure of who is dumping there, and explained that most of the trash left on the sidewalk there is regular household garbage, and not something that Sanitation would not pick up.
Another issue at the location is graffiti, which GRRC has helped clean up as part of one of their routine programs.
“Normally, with a construction fence, we would give it time for them to do whatever they’re supposed to be doing because the fence is usually a temporary thing,” Mirabile said.
“But that fence has actually been up there for a very long time. So we figured it would help to have the graffiti removed because people are dumping garbage there,” she added. “Sometimes they think that nothing is going on and they dump it, so if we painted over it, it would give it a better look.”
Mina Takla, who owns Aghapy Food Inc. Deli & Grocery across the street, said that 614 Woodward has looked the same since he opened up shop seven years ago.
“People constantly throw their garbage and other stuff in front of the building and I don’t know why,” he said. “I think if somebody fixes it or takes care of the building it’s better for everyone who lives and works here, because it’s a problem.”
Another resident, who requested to remain anonymous, has remained on top of the issue that the property presents to the neighborhood by taking photos, making 311 reports and keeping in contact with community members who are part of the Community Board, the Neighborhood Association and local realtors who are concerned about showing homes in the area.
“I’ve contacted the realtor who is trying to sell the property whose documentation is hung up. It’s old information showing the building in an entirely different state, and they’re asking more for it than it would ever sell,” she said.
“So they’re clearly not really trying to sell it. I’m concerned for the Catholic charity building next door that’s had scaffolding on their building this entire time. It really seems like a hardship on their quality of life,” she continued.
She said it appears that Silvershore Properties keeps opening new LLCs in order to shuffle around losses. While it remains unclear what their strategy is, the resident said it can be categorized as an acceptable loss.
“I think it’s just criminal negligence for the health and safety of this neighborhood. It’s absurd how much trash children are exposed to, and that they can’t even walk a normal path to the park because the sidewalks are unusable,” she said.
“By having the scaffolding up for an extended period of time, on an unoccupied building without lights, it becomes an area for all kinds of criminal activities, like the shooting we had. It’s criminal that Silvershore treats this like a financial instrument, whereas we have to live with this health hazard.”
A Google search will reveal that Silvershore Properties is “permanently closed,” and the phone number listed is disabled.
Jonathan Cohen or any representative from Silvershore Properties could not be reached for comment.

Gregory T. Gabriel

webadmin on March 8, 2022

Gregory T. Gabriel passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the age of 65. Beloved Husband of Eleanor Gabriel. Loving Brother of Carol (Jerry) Nardo. Adored son-in-law of Angela Heredia. Cherished Uncle of Michelle. Mr. Gabriel was a United States Coast Guard Veteran. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

Accidents in Glendale strike up safety conversations

webadmin on March 4, 2022

By Jessica Meditz
jmeditz@queensledger.com

Two accidents in Glendale during the month of February have caused a stir in the tightly knit community. Shocking video of a 57-year-old man who was struck by two motorists while crossing the intersection at Cypress and Cooper Avenues went viral following the accident on Feb. 12.
Shortly thereafter two teenagers on a moped scooter were hospitalized after colliding with a vehicle that was turning onto Cooper Avenue from 88th Street. .
City Councilman Robert Holden held a press conference to address street safety concerns at Cypress and Cooper Avenues, where the man was struck, on Feb. 22.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez along with other elected officials and safer street advocates were in attendance. The event was originally scheduled for the Friday prior to the crash at Cooper Avenue and 88th Street.
Holden said that the DOT has previously denied requests for a leading pedestrian interval at the notorious intersection and called for the DOT and NYPD to instate safety measures for pedestrians.
“Our request for an LPI for this very intersection was denied last June. I’m very hopeful that the new Commissioner will change things and take action to make our intersections safe,” Holden said.
“Crosswalks are the single most dangerous place for pedestrians in NYC to be. We need the DOT to make changes and we need enforcement from the NYPD,” he continued. “I was hit by a car when I was 8 years old and it’s not something anyone should have to go through. There’s a general sense of lawlessness on our streets.”
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar also expressed the hazardous thoroughfare, echoing Holden’s sentiment.
“We stand here in a danger zone. Over the past eight years at this very intersection, there were 153 reported crashes, which injured 56 motorists, 10 pedestrians and seven cyclists,” she said.
“We watched in horror as our neighbor was run over twice at this dangerous intersection,” she continued. “Would you believe that in the time between when we announced this press conference and today’s event, two more teens were critically injured in a crash. This has to stop.”
Under NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, the DOT pledged to make safety improvements to 1,000 intersections this year.
Rodriguez assured elected officials and community members that “help is on the way,” and promised that changes would be made to the intersection within the next few days.
“New York City has to be the safest city for pedestrians and cyclists, he said.
“Traffic violence is a solvable crisis. Safety is a top priority for myself and Mayor Eric Adams.”
Days after the press conference, residents like Mollie Lauffer noticed the changes made to Cypress and Cooper Avenues, including an all pedestrian phase and delayed green signage.
“The new intersection at Cooper and Cypress is absolute bliss for anyone on foot, because all traffic stops so anyone can cross in any direction. Much less stressful for drivers as well,” she said.
Although pleased with the new measures, Lauffer called on the DOT to expand on the changes made to benefit the surrounding community.
“DOT has shown that they can act quickly, so why wait? Make streets safe everywhere, right now, instead of prioritizing the movement and storage of vehicles,” Lauffer said.
“Ridgewood is a great pilot neighborhood for these types of ‘scramble crossings’ with its diagonal grid and multi-street intersections. I’d love to see one at Myrtle and Forest next, and Cypress Hills/Central/Otto/64th Street.”
She added that Highland Park is the closest large park to the area, yet the walk there is “a nightmare” for pedestrians.
“It’s shameful that people can’t walk to the park without feeling scared simply because dangerous cars dominate the streets. We have zero protected bike lanes and zero open streets,” she said.
“When residents complain, it’s like these suggestions, these needs repeatedly go ignored by whoever’s making decisions. When is that going to change?”

New QBG head looks to take garden to next level

webadmin on February 24, 2022

By Jessica Meditz
jmeditz@queensledger.com

Evie Hantzopoulos is the new executive director of the Queens Botanical Garen. (Photo: Eryn Hatzithomas)

Evie Hantzopoulos began her role as the executive director of the Queens Botanical Garden in late January, just in time to see her favorite plant, the red dogwood, in its prime.
In the same way the dogwood’s stems turn a beautiful bright red in the winter, Hantzopoulos brings a bright new perspective to the 39-acre oasis in Flushing.
She fills the shoes of Susan Lacerte, who held the position for 27 years and brought the garden back to life during a time of crisis.
“I’m super grateful for the work Susan has done, like helping to make the new Visitor and Administration Building happen and expanding the collections,” said Hantzopoulos. “Now I think about how I can build on her incredible work and honor the work that she did, and then really work with the staff and the community to take the garden to the next level.”
Originally from Massachusetts, Hantzopoulos lives in Astoria with her husband and three children, and has called Queens her home for nearly 24 years.
Although her background is not in environmental horticulture, Hantzopoulos feels passionately about gardening and environmental causes.
“My parents were both farmers when they lived in Greece, and they brought a lot of that knowledge with them when they came here,” she said. “I garden in my backyard, and when my kids were younger I helped bring gardens to their schools.
“I know a bit as an amateur, but I’m going to be learning a lot in terms of horticulture and working in the garden,” she added. “I’m very grateful we have experts here who really know their stuff.”
Hantzopoulos has extensive experience managing nonprofits. She served has worked at Global Kids for the last 25 years, the final 11 years serving as executive director.
Global Kids is a nonprofit organization that works with kids in all five boroughs, focusing on youth development, civic engagement and global education in underserved communities.
In addition to developing the organization’s programs and expanding its outreach to different cities, Hantzopoulos spent time mentoring educators and teaching workshops.
“Children add a perspective to the conversation that is really meaningful and critical,” she said. “Everyone questions how much they know, but children have thoughts, ideas, experiences and viewpoints that should be listened to, because a lot of times it’s their future we’re talking about.”
Hantzopoulos is excited to continue her journey as an educator through her new role at the Queens Botanical Garden, especially with a $34 million state-of-the-art Education Center on the horizon.
The building, which is expected to break ground in the fall, will allow staff to serve more than double the amount of people through expanded programming.
“Right now, our education building is not serving our needs,” said Hantzopoulos. “It’s very limited.
“Also during COVID, there’s limitations on how many people we can have in the building,” she added. “This new building is going to be designed to be adaptable, with indoor and outdoor classrooms.”
Hantzopoulos has been a member of Community Board 1 since 2010, and also co-founded Frontline Foods Queens, which distributes meals to frontline workers, NYCHA residents and food pantries.
She is a founding member of Astoria Mutual Aid Network, Astoria Urban Ecology Alliance, and 31st Avenue Open Street.
She recently ran in the Democratic Primary for City Council in Astoria.
“The experience was certainly different than anything I’ve ever done before, and I learned a lot,” Hantzopoulos said of the campaign. “Now I’m figuring out how to serve the city and community in a different capacity.”
Hantzopoulos acknowledged that although the garden looks a bit different during the colder months, it is still a serene escape from the chaos of Flushing’s busy streets.
She feels optimistic about the warmer months to come, as indicated by the 2,500 people who attended the recent Lunar New Year celebration at the garden.

Evie Hantzopoulos speaks at the garden’s recent Lunar New Year celebration. (Photo: Josh Feinberg)


But most of all, Hantzopoulos is grateful to be able to wake up every morning and go to work at such a beautiful place.
“I wanted to pick a place where I could fully get behind its mission and potential, as well as somewhere that I could marry my different interests,” she said.
“I found a great group of people and a beautiful space that so many people love,” she added. “Now, it’s about working with the team to figure out how to build upon the foundation and really showcase just how special of a place it is.”

Street will honor Bangladeshi community in Queens

webadmin on February 24, 2022

The intersection of Homelawn Avenue and Hillside Avenue was co-named “Little Bangladesh Avenue.”

The intersection of Homelawn Avenue and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica will forever be known as “Little Bangladesh Avenue.” The co-naming ceremony took place on International Mother Language Day.

Dozens of Bangladeshi businesses line Hillside Street, from the savory sweets at Dhaka Sweets to the authentic Bangladeshi cuisine spots Ghoroa and Sagar.

Councilman Jim Gennaro said that the Bangladeshi community is an example of people who live in peace and love their faith and families.

“Today is a great day for the country of Bangladesh and for all the citizens of the world,” said Gennaro. “They are a model community that I really embrace and want to thank in a very special way for what they do for New York City.”

With both American and Bangladeshi flags waving in the backdrop, the new street sign was revealed to a chorus of cheers.

“We’re gonna remember this day,” said Gennaro. “We’ll be able to tell our kids and our grandchildren and our grandkids.”

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first South Asian woman elected to statewide office, said the event hit close to home.

“In the 1970s, my parents immigrated and they settled on Hillside Avenue,” she said. “It’s special that I get to stand here today at the naming of Little Bangladesh Avenue. We have so many leaders in this community who are here today. I stand on your shoulders.

“The sky’s the limit for our community because I want to see a Bangladeshi-American as mayor,” Rajkumar added. “I want to see a Bangladeshi-American as senator and a Bangladeshi-American as president. We have just begun, and with all of the Bangladeshi youth in my office right now that we’re bringing up, it’s going to happen very soon.”

104th Precinct Police Blotter (2/7/2022-2/13/2022)

webadmin on February 23, 2022

Monday, Feb. 7
Zamiqua Miller was arrested at 329 Wyckoff Avenue for petit larceny by Detective Wright.
Zamiqua Miller was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for burglary by Detective Gerardi.
Lychena E. Solomon was arrested at 690 Onderdonk Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Arfeen.

Tuesday, Feb. 8
Janneth Guaman was arrested at 57-66 79th Street for possession of a forged instrument by Detective Wright.
Andy Morla was arrested at Fresh Pond Road and Eliot Avenue for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Shariff.

Wednesday, Feb. 9
Fernando Rodriguez was arrested at 65-04 Hull Avenue for criminal mischief by Detective Lodato.
Roman A. Vera Delgado was arrested at Tonsor Street and Metropolitan Avenue for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Arfeen.
Kelius Casete was arrested at Catala Avenue and Fresh Pond Road for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Martinez.

Thursday, Feb. 10
Derrick Randall was arrested at 78-16 Cooper Avenue for felony assault by Detective Bublin.
Gary Montague was arrested at 57-44 80th Street for grand larceny by Detective Moon.

Friday, Feb. 11
James McRory was arrested at 84-45 Fleet Court for strangulation by Office malik.
Segunda Sisa Pilamunga was arrested at Decatur Street and Cypress Avenue for driving while intoxicated by Officer Cedenopilier.
Luis Vargas was arrested at Wyckoff Avenue and Myrtle Avenue for suspended registration by Officer Nicacci.
Keily Araceli-Otero was arrested at 71-30 73rd Street for burglary by Officer Lyle.

Saturday, Feb. 12
Craig L. Capers was arrested at Forest Avenue and Myrtle Avenue for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Armond.
Hugo Reyes Cardenas was arrested at 65-09 Metropolitan Avenue for criminal mischief by Officer Bawa.
Victor Espirito was arrested at 62nd Street and Cooper Avenue for possession of a forged instrument by Detective Wright.
Jairo Paguay was arrested at 281 Saint Nicholas for third-degree assault by Officer Claybrooks.
Jeffrey Tavarez Florentino was arrested at Vermont Place and Jackie Robinson Parkway for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Bistany.
Rose Estrella was arrested at 281 Saint Nicholas for criminal mischief by Officer Claybrooks.

Sunday, Feb. 13
Jeremiah Banks was arrested at 903 Wyckoff Avenue for criminal contempt by Detective Rochford.
Jonathan Tyson was arrested at Grandview Avenue and Grove Street for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Griffin.
Josee De Jesus was arrested at Stephen Street and Cypress Avenue for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Pickett.
Diego Nunez was arrested at 68-17 Forest Avenue for criminal contempt by Officer Christoldoulo.
Angie Aguirre was arrested at 68-17 Forest Avenue for criminal mischief by Officer Christoldoulo.

Ardila to make bid for vacant Assembly seat

webadmin on February 23, 2022

Nolan retiring after serving for the last 38 years

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS

Juan Ardila is running for State Assembly.

The Maspeth native will enter the June 28th Democratic Primary to replace Cathy Nolan, who is retiring after 38 years of service. The 37th District includes the neighborhoods of Long Island City, Maspeth, Ridgewood, and Sunnyside

“Queens residents deserve affordable housing, improved public transit, and a plan to combat climate change,” said Ardila. “Growing up in an immigrant family, I have experienced how important it is to have representation that understands how government can impact our lives.

“In Albany, I will be a champion for our seniors, our workers, and our tenants,” he added. “I am excited for a better future for all New Yorkers.”

Ardila is a first-generation American, the son of a Columbian father and Honduran-Cuban mother. After seeing his mother nearly deported and watching other family members face persecution from gang violence in Honduras, Ardila began his journey to public service.

He earned a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from NYU. He attended St. Adalbert Catholic Academy in Elmhurst before going to high school in Briarwood at Archbishop Molloy High School.

Ardila previously served as a staffer in the office of Brad Lander when he was in the City Council. He also worked at the International Rescue Committee in Manhattan and as a consultant at the city’s Department of Education.

He currently works at the Legal Aid Society.

Last year, Ardila challenged Councilman Robert Holden in the Democratic Primary. He fell 926 votes short of defeating the incumbent, garnering 45 percent of the vote.

Ardila’s Assembly bid has already earned the endorsements of State Senator Jessica Ramos, Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, and Councilwoman Jennifer Gutierrez.

“Juan draws on his experience in providing legal representation for all New Yorkers, and will bring his unwavering dedication to listen to working families,” said Ramos, “to organize his community around key priorities such as housing infrastructure, increased access to public transportation, and a more inclusive public education system.”

Ardila’s also has the backing of Make the Road Action and Churches United for Fair Housing Action.

“Juan Ardila is a fighter for his community who has stood with immigrant, LatinX, Black, and working-class members of his community in the fight for respect and dignity,” said Theo Oshiro, co-executive director of Make the Road Action. “We were proud to support him before, and we’re proud to support him again.”

Pressure to make ‘to go’ drinks permanent

webadmin on February 23, 2022

Restaurant owners say temporary move was COVID lifeline

BY DANIEL OFFNER

Local restaurant owners are putting pressure on state lawmakers to make alcoholic beverages “to go” a permanent fixture in their establishments.

“We suffered a 90 percent decline in revenue when the first shutdown went into effect… and it has been a rollercoaster ride ever since,” Loycent Gordon, the owner of Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven said.

The policy was put into effect as part of the New York State emergency order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to try and help struggling restaurants stay afloat.

When the emergency order expired last summer, so too did restaurants and bars serving “to go” cocktails and wine.

Historic Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven, Queens, N.Y.

“This has been one of the lifelines that we needed that unfortunately expired,” Gordon said. “Alcohol to go is going to be one of those things that can help to add an additional revenue stream in a time where we have gone through so much and actually incurred so much debt.”

The New York State Restaurant Association held simultaneous press conferences with bar and restaurant owners all across the state to try and persuade legislators to adopt Gov. Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal, which they said includes a provision that would allow the sale of “to go” drink orders permanently.

Last June, state lawmakers attempted to pass a similar measure allowing “to go” drinks to be a permanent fixture, but according to The New York Times, it was thwarted by lobbyists with the liquor store industry, which had directed tens of thousands of dollars in political donations.

Dan Connor, the owner of Donovan’s Pub in Woodside, said he didn’t know why the liquor industry was fighting restaurant and bar owners over the sale of cocktails and wine to go after experiencing record sales numbers during the pandemic.

“I’m not sure why the liquor industry is fighting us on this,” Connor said. “We’re not selling bottles.”

Melissa Fleishut, president and CEO of the Restaurant Association said that the same relief that was once needed at the height of the pandemic is still necessary now.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling restaurants were able to boost sales and keep doors open through the ability of selling alcoholic beverages with their orders,” Fleischut said. “The restaurant industry needs stability now more than ever, and by making ‘alcohol-to-go’ permanent we can encourage a strong recovery. It’s popular with operators and customers alike. The numbers don’t lie.”

According to a study conducted by the association, out of the 700 New Yorkers polled, approximately 78 percent were in favor of such a law.

“It makes no sense whatsoever,” Arelia Taveras, president of the New York State Latino Restaurant Association, said. “We need to have equality and fairness in this industry.”

Taveras said that before the pandemic there were close to 26,000 restaurants in New York and now more than half are gone, many of which were in underserved communities.

“It’s increasing crime. There’s no employment. I mean, what are we doing here,” Taveras added. “Let’s let restaurants breathe. If anything they should be advocating for loosening the laws on restaurants so that everybody can come back.”

Monir Zamel, the owner of Andrew’s Coffee Shop in Midtown, has been in business since the 60s and 70s. During that time his business weathered several catastrophes including multiple recessions, 9/11, and Superstorm Sandy.

“I’ve never seen anything that impacted my business the same way that COVID-19 has,” Zamel said. “It was like living in a nightmare.”

Calls for response from the New York State Liquor Store Association were not returned as of press time.

Plans for a policy to enable restaurants and bar owners to serve cocktails and wine “to go” will be decided on by state lawmakers as part of the state budget.

Hochul’s budget proposal also includes a Restaurant Resiliency Program, aimed at providing $25 million in grant funding to restaurants providing meals to distressed and underrepresented communities, and a Restaurant “Return-To-Work” tax credit for small independently owned restaurants.

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