Chamber Celebrates Small Business Week and Ferryhawks Opening Day
By Dom Provenzano, Marketing & Communications Manager, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Starting with a ride on the NYC Ferry, followed by a small business resource fair, and ending with a baseball game, Tuesday was a homerun in Downtown Staten Island.
The Chamber welcomed the Department of Small Business services, following a ride on the Fast Ferry.
On May 3, 2022, the day began at Staten Island’s NYC Fast Ferry Terminal dock, nestled between Empire Outlets and the Staten Island Ferry, where Chamber President & CEO Linda Baran greeted NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim as he disembarked. Joining them was Sonya Smith, SUNY State Director of the New York Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), as well as staff from the Chamber and SBS.
Following a warm welcome, the crowd proceeded to the newly-refurbished Staten Island University Hospital, Community Park, where they were greeted by Gary Perrone, General Manager of the Staten Island Ferryhawks. The group enjoyed a sneak-peek of the new park just hours before Opening Day and browsed the team’s new stadium, field, and merchandise.
Chamber President & CEO Linda Baran Speaks on the steps of Borough Hall.
The group then migrated across the street to Staten Island Borough Hall for “Shop Your City,” a small business resource fair hosted by the NYC Department of Small Business Services. The event was part of SBS’ “Small Business Week," a five-borough tour celebrating the city’s small businesses. Representatives from City agencies, community groups, and small businesses gathered to provide information and network. Groups represented included the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, SBS, the Small Business Development Center, the NYC Department of Buildings, the NYC Department of Human Rights, and the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, to name a few. Small businesses owners, including Dorcas Meyers of Roc-A-Natural and Tariq Zaid of Richmond Hood Co., where onsite to represent Staten Island’s small business community.
“As a son of immigrant small business owners and former small business owner myself, I am so proud to stand on the steps of Staten Island Borough Hall today to fight for Small Businesses,” said Kevin D. Kim. “This has been a really warm welcome, and we thank Borough President Vito Fossella for being a staunch advocate for small businesses.”
Borough President Fossella and Commissioner Kim huddle for a discussion during the Shop Your City event.
“Small businesses are the backbone of any economy, whether it’s Staten Island, Flushing, or across the water,” said Borough President Fossella. “It’s no secret that small businesses have struggled these past few years. But what we’re here today is to focus on getting small businesses back up and running, so folks can live, work, and play in their own neighborhoods. I’m proud to stand besides these wonderful organizations today to ensure our local economy - and the economy of New York City- can thrive.”
“As we all know, the past few years have been very difficult for many businesses in many sectors,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber’s motto is "we do for you what you can’t do for yourself,’ and we are here to support businesses in any way we can. All of the organizations here today proudly work collaboratively as a community - all with the goal of serving Staten Island’s small businesses.
The Sri Lankan Dance Academy performs.
Tariq Zaid, owner of Richmond Hood Co. and Vodega Deli and Grocery, spoke about his experience on operating and opening small businesses during the pandemic. “It was a challenging time, but Small Business Services was able to help. I encourage any small business looking for help to pursue their resources and get involved with supporting small businesses on Staten Island,” said Zaid.
Next was Sonya Smith, SUNY State Director of the New York Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), who touted the work of the SBDC. “I’m grateful to be here alongside the Commissioner to support our small businesses and encourage shopping local, as well as all of today’s partners whose outreach has done a lot to make business more sustainable,” she said. “Your work helps make small business owners and future business owners successful.”
Last to the mic was Gary Perrone, General Manager of the Staten Island Ferryhawks. “Today is a good day for Staten Island. From today onward, everyone from Tottenville to the Verrazano will be in ‘Hawk City.’ I look forward to working with Linda Baran and Downtown Staten Island to revitalize the area and ensure the team is a success.”
Chamber leadership, Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, Borough President Fossella, and Ferryhawks leadership celebrate the ballpark’s grand opening. Photo by Staten Arts Photography.
Speeches were followed by a performance by the Sri Lankan Dance Academy and an afternoon of networking.
Finally, Chamber reconvened at the Staten Island University Hospital, Community Park for the long-awaited ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new ballpark. Chamber leadership and staff stood alongside dozens of Chamber Members and owners of the Ferryhawks to celebrate and welcome the very first ticketholders into the park.
Following a long day of celebrating and supporting small businesses in Staten Island, the Chamber enjoyed the first home game of the Staten Island Ferryhawks, where they claimed their first-ever victory.
A photo gallery from the event is below, featuring photography by Dom Provenzano (SICC) and Steve White (Staten Arts Photography).
