Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The Open Storefronts program assists existing ground-floor storefront businesses who want to use outdoor areas on a temporary basis. The program allows eligible businesses to conduct activity on sidewalks, on roadways in the Open Streets: Restaurants program, or a combination of both. In addition to businesses engaged in retail trade, repair stores, personal care services, and dry-cleaning and laundry services are able to use outdoor space for seating, queuing, or display of dry goods. For a list of eligible retail activities, please visit Open Storefronts FAQ 2.
The Open Storefronts program is available October 30 to December 31, 2020. Open Storefronts Siting Requirements
Siting Criteria for Sidewalks
Objects placed on sidewalk must be up against the wall of the business or as close as possible
Sidewalk objects and activities may not exceed business frontage
Must leave an 8' clear path for pedestrians. Eligible businesses who can currently display merchandise as-of-right or with a stoopline stand license can continue to do so under existing regulations and do not need to certify under Open Storefronts for the existing eligible merchandise
Must conduct eligible activities and place outdoor objects no more than 5’ from the property line (i.e. from external facing wall of the business)
Outdoor objects must be at least 3' from the adjacent restaurants, or 1’ away from other businesses participating in the Open Storefronts program
Outdoor objects and goods cannot block subway grates, fire hydrants, utility hardware, Siamese water connection, bus stop waiting areas, subway entrances, and fire exits. Vault entrances not exclusively accessible by the business can only be blocked in coordination with other tenants. Objects cannot block doors, including entry and exit doors to other spaces, and cannot block driveways or garage entrances unless they are used exclusively by the business participating in the Open Storefronts program
For clear path purposes, parking meters, traffic signs and tree pits with flush gratings (without tree guards) are exempt. All other above-grade structures are considered obstructions
Merchandise placed outside cannot exceed 5' in height above the level of the sidewalk
Collapsible tents and umbrellas with weighted base must have at least two (2) sides open and must be installed per manufacturer’s instructions. A single area or area of combined / tied together tents and umbrellas should not exceed 400 square feet in size
Outdoor objects and goods, including tents and umbrellas, must be provided by applicant and must be removed from the sidewalk when a business is closed, excluding stoopline stands (in line with current regulation). Permanent structures cannot be built or placed on the sidewalk
Eh. So many stores already have outside stands. The ones that don't, usually don't have them for a reason - can you imagine a jewelry store or a store that sells fancy sports goods putting their stuff out on the street where someone can run off with it? So this isn't going to change a whole lot.
Eh. So many stores already have outside stands. The ones that don't, usually don't have them for a reason - can you imagine a jewelry store or a store that sells fancy sports goods putting their stuff out on the street where someone can run off with it? So this isn't going to change a whole lot.
Yeah. This has already been happening. It's now just "official". It's hard as a pedestrian to walk around but ...you adjust. I see people selling all sorts of things from paintings to art to jewelry to live gold fish!
I scored 4 boxes of masks, 50 masks/box for $10. I came away happy.
Yeah. This has already been happening. It's now just "official". It's hard as a pedestrian to walk around but ...you adjust.
There is this clothing store on the corner of a busy street in the Bronx and they put on like 12 circular racks of clothing taking up the whole sidewalk. You had to weave around them to get by. I was thinking boy are they asking for people to take their stuff. Not that I will happen upon their anytime soon but the next time I do if they still have all their stuff out I will just walk in the street.
Flushing, and Chinese nabes way before Covid-19 have been doing just that.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
