One Year of COVID-19: How the Pandemic Continues to Affect Staten Island Businesses

By Dominic Provenzano and Michael Anderson

March 2021 marks a somber milestone in Staten Island: one year of COVID-19. A lot has happened in a year, but recent developments may be pointing to a shift: closings are being reversed, capacities continue to expand, and vaccines are flowing. With a return to normalcy on the horizon, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce has one focus: our local businesses.   

Following studies we conducted in the Spring and Fall, the Chamber created a late-winter survey to examine how our membership continues to be affected by the pandemic. A significant portion of Staten Island businesses responded, representing a vast range of industries including food service (22%), professional services (21%), non-profits (14%), real estate and construction, (5%), arts and entertainment (5%), retail (4%), health and wellness (4%), and many others. 

After a long and arduous year of restrictions, the results show that Staten Island businesses are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The majority of businesses (47%) indicated that they are now fully operational but with reduced hours. A quarter indicated that they are entirely back to normal, with 6% deciding not to reopen. 

The vast majority of businesses (76%) indicated that they had faced a slight to a significant decrease in revenue, with a third stating that business decreased by 26-50%. A quarter of the respondents indicated that revenue had decreased by 76-100%, while 10% of the total respondents indicated that revenue increased. 

However, 88% of the businesses surveyed received financial assistance, mainly in the form of the Paycheck Protection Program (60%) and Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (27%). Although these loans and grants served as a lifeline for many Staten Island businesses, respondents noted that the application process was often confusing, frustrating, and convoluted, citing issues with websites, forms, and banks.

Looking forward, however, the businesses we surveyed are feeling much better about the future than the past. More than a quarter of respondents foresee their business doing moderately well, and 17% saw their businesses thriving. 16% stated that they would likely be struggling, and less than 4% indicated that they would likely have to close their doors permanently. 

Although much of New York City is now open, the next few months are not without their challenges. Businesses noted that marketing and attracting customers is the biggest hurdle they face, with reduced capacity concerns following close behind. Obtaining access to capital and the ability to pay and retain employees are also blockades on the road to recovery. 

Businessowners also noted that they were concerned about the public’s attitude as restrictions lighten. Many respondents said they are struggling to handle customers who refuse to abide by guidelines, wear masks, and social distance. Businesses have also expressed the importance of getting their workforces vaccinated. 

The survey garnered one nearly unanimous response: affirming the value of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Almost all of the respondents indicated that the Chamber provided assistance, including access to information otherwise unobtainable, access to the Chamber’s staff for help, the ability to obtain expedited loans and grants, PPE, and more. 

“The Chamber has been a tremendous support,” one business owner said. “We're grateful for all the work you’ve done to ensure we're successful.”