In a year marked by uncertainty and fear, some New York City businessmen decided it was worth taking the risk of opening stores.
The impact of the pandemic on small businesses in New York City has been severe. In Brooklyn, Chamber of Commerce President Randy Peers estimated that between one-fifth and one-third of small businesses have folded, according to the neighborhood. In lower Manhattan, more than 160 retail businesses, 12 percent of the total, have permanently shut down, according to Downtown Alliance, a local business group.
But the struggles of some companies have presented opportunities for new companies. Homeowners who are reluctant to leave storefronts empty offer more affordable leases, and the increased stress over the past year has led to increased demand for services such as facials and guided meditation, employers said. . Some businessmen, fired at the start of the pandemic, decided to pursue long-standing dreams of owning their own businesses.
These are the stories of five new companies – one in each district – that opened during the pandemic:
A spa in Brooklyn
Registered sisters and nurses Carla Nelson, 36, and Wendy Jules, 39, opened their doors at Fleur De Lis Beauty & Esthetics on Flatbush Avenue last July. The spa, which offers services such as chemical peels, intravenous hydration, facials and botox, was quickly flooded by customers. They are now booked until June.