Five Towns businesses remain upbeat

As the coronavirus pandemic drags on, businesses across Long Island have dealt with steep declines in revenue, and in some cases have been forced to close. But despite the frightening economic downturn of the past nine-plus months, many Five Towns business owners and officials say they remain hopeful.

Roughly 17 percent of the country’s restaurants, nearly 110,000, have permanently closed this year, according to CNN. American retailers have announced 8,400 closures.

David Friedman, president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association, said that while local businesses have struggled amid the pandemic, not many have closed. “The HSBC bank on Peninsula [Boulevard] closed, but the branch hasn’t given us information as to why they closed,” Friedman said. “We do have a Tropical Smoothie opening on Broadway soon.” He added that the Petco in Hewlett had also closed.

Friedman said that the HWBA had been doing whatever it could to help its members, including distributing personal protective equipment, obtained from the Town of Hempstead, to business owners. “We now have a large inventory of PPE, and [have been] contacting business owners for the last 30 days to get the specific items that each business needs,” he said. “We have been referring local business owners to various town and county programs that are available. For example, the county has a program aiming to help restaurants survive through the winter.”

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said in a statement that she wants all businesses in the county to remain open despite the restrictions that are now in place. “Throughout this pandemic, I’ve fought to keep our businesses open — as most have gone above and beyond to operate safely, protecting employees and customers — and it’s working,” Curran said in a statement. “The proof is in the numbers.”

She added that indoor dining would remain open in the county for the time being. “Seventy-four percent of new infections are coming from private household gatherings, and just 1.4 percent are coming from restaurants and bars,” she said. “We must help our businesses, small and large, recover from the financial devastation of this pandemic. I will continue to do everything I can to limit restrictions on our restaurants and keep businesses and schools open.”

Cedarhurst’s deputy mayor, Ari Brown, a member of the village’s Business Improvement District, said that morale among local business owners has been positive despite the circumstances. “The businesses in this village have been sticking together throughout this pandemic,” Brown said. “The real estate market is strong and the local economy is strong because we work together like a family. If I have 3 percent vacancy out of 280 stores, that would be a lot.”

Steve Silverman, the owner of Morton’s Army Navy store, in Cedarhurst, said that business had been on the upswing since August. “We got killed in the spring, like everyone else, but we’ve been holding pretty steady from August until now,” Silverman said. “We create events such as the Midnight Madness, and that separates us from other villages.” Midnight Madness is an annual Thanksgiving-weekend sale in Cedarhurst, during which village businesses offer patrons special discounts. It was held this year despite the pandemic.

Ali Artz, owner of Ambiance Salon, in Hewlett, said that business has been inconsistent in recent months. “We’re still mandated to operate not at full capacity, and that’s concerning,” Artz said. “There’s definitely a fear of more mandates or a shutdown.”

With Covid-19 vaccines on the way, Friedman said there was hope for business owners and community members. “People are hopeful, and they’re just trying to survive until things get back to normal,” he said. “We look forward to coming out of this Covid crisis, and being able to assist businesses further, and getting back to having more community celebrations that encourage local shopping.”