As someone who has spent nearly my entire adult life in Greenwich Village, I was crestfallen when St. Vincent's shut its doors. Not only was the hospital the center for our community's physical health, it also has been the lifeblood for many small local businesses. Now the health needs of our community have been severely diminished, and the local stores that give our neighborhood its character are withering in silence.
My connection to small businesses goes back many years. During my formative years, my family ran a print shop in the Far West Village, when operations like Superior Ink actually manufactured ink on the premises and weren't condominiums. I saw firsthand how much work it takes to make a small business successful and how few resources exist to assist mom and pop operations. Unfortunately, this fact remains as true today as it did then. The City invites small businesses to open their doors but then does little to help them be successful. It's hard enough to make it in New York City as it is, so imagine the effect when a 3,500 person operation, like St. Vincent's, suddenly shuts its doors. The wake of such a closure has been harsh and swift.
The closing of St. Vincent's has been a devastating blow to the Village and just as devastating for the businesses that depended on St. Vincent's for survival. Many businesses have already closed, while others are struggling to survive. To help confront this problem my office invited the Greenwich Village and Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, Community Board 2, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Senator Thomas K. Duane, and Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, to participate in a Valentine themed shopping extravaganza on Saturday, February 12, 2011 entitled, "Love the Village," with the goal of supporting businesses that have been adversely impacted. The event will kick-off at 10AM on the Northwest Corner of 7th Avenue and Greenwich Avenue, across the street from Roasting Plant Coffee. On the weekend before Valentine's Day, we want to show local businesses how big our hearts in the Village really are.
"Love the Village" will be a day-long shopping extravaganza that will encourage the public to engage with businesses in the immediate vicinity of St. Vincent's. Participants will be given a map of businesses on Greenwich Avenue, 6th Avenue, and 7th Avenue and, after shopping at these businesses, they will have an opportunity to exchange their receipts (that value at least $10) for raffle tickets on the first floor of the Lesbian and Gay Center located at 208 W. 13th Street between 7th Avenue and Greenwich Avenue between 10AM-3PM. Multiple raffles will be held throughout the day. To show Valentine's Day appreciation, giveaways will include locally designed "Love the Village" t-shirts for the first 100 people to participate.
Although a one day event may not save a business that is teetering on the edge, it may help introduce people to businesses that they might pass every day without ever entering. If we do want our neighborhood to be more Jane Jacobs than Marc Jacobs, a good first step is by stepping foot inside an independently owned local business. I look forward to seeing all of you on February 12. Now, more than ever, we need to come together as a community and help those businesses who are in need. Please come out and show your support.
What: "Love the Village" Shopping Event To Support Local Businesses Affected By The Closure Of St. Vincent's Hospital.
When: February 12th from 10:00am to 3:00 pm.
Where: Opening Remarks on the NW Corner of 7th Avenue and Greenwich Ave at 10AM.
Who: Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick with Greenwich Village Chamber of Commerce. Co-sponsored by Community Board 2, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Senator Tom Duane, and Speaker Christine C. Quinn.