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Rockaway businesses celebrate Sandy resurgence at Chamber of Commerce event


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Renee Hastick-Motes of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was of one of the speakers at the annual gathering.

Renee Hastick-Motes of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital was of one of the speakers at the annual gathering.

Members of the Rockaway business community gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 30 to look back at the peninsula’s collective renaissance from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy and their continued economic development.

President of the Queens Chamber of Commerce (QCC) Thomas Grech was the master of ceremonies at the Bungalow Bar event, where he affirmed his organization’s support for all local businesses during his opening remarks before giving way to a number of new and old faces that are working together to pave the way to a prosperous future.

Attendees were made privy to the challenges that merchants from the Breach 116th Street Partnership faced in the aftermath of Sandy by Yarden Flatow, who played a major role in rebranding his group as the Rockaway Business Alliance (RBA). Since then, the partnership has implemented a series of beatification and support initiatives contributing to the growth of local retailers from Beach 43rd Street to Riis Park.

“After Sandy, when many people had no comfort, no space to really go home and feel safe, the places that offered comfort were the community spaces. Places we could go out to and see our family members and friends and feel comfortable. Those were the restaurants, the bars, the gyms, anywhere people could be,” said the RBA chairperson.

The Wave’s John Sanchez (center) chats with Florence Ferguson of the Friends of the Beach 59th Street Playground (left) and Felicia Johnson.

The Wave’s John Sanchez (center) chats with Florence Ferguson of the Friends of the Beach 59th Street Playground (left) and Felicia Johnson.

President and CEO of the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corp (RDRC) Kevin Alexander was also part of the festivities, as he walked the audience through his organization’s efforts in helping businesses get back on their feet six years ago by guiding them through copious amounts of necessary paperwork.

“For the next year, we opened our office as both a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) center and an SBA (Small Business Administration) center as well… I’m not going to lie, it was a pain in the butt with all the paperwork,” said the RDRC spokesperson, who added that his team was the authorizer of National Grid’s Sandy relief grants by validating damage inflicted on businesses and surrounding properties.

Queens Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Grech (left) with Democratic District Leader Lew Simon.

Queens Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Grech (left) with Democratic District Leader Lew Simon.

“The goal was always to have one Rockaway peninsula as one regional economy, so we could compete to have more resources come in. So, that’s been the goal since I’ve been at the RDRC for the past 13 years and it’s more strengthened today and we’re very proud to assist and share whatever resources we have because we’re one peninsula.”

To that end, Alexander asked the business owners in the audience if they were “better off” today than six years ago, and if they aren’t, he suggested that there are things they can do to ensure that they will be in a better place when “and not if” another natural disaster hits.

Grech offered further assistance on the topic by notifying the local business community of applications for risk-assessment and preparedness grants of $3,000.

Additional speakers included Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, Renee Hastick-Motes of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital and Dan Brown from Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s office, who asked listeners not to forget those who continue being displaced from their homes as a result of Sandy.

Lime was well represented.

Lime was well represented.

The Wave’s new ownership team of Walter Sanchez and John Sanchez were also introduced, with John imparting some thoughts on what it’s like to be the new kid on the block.

“Throughout my short 10 years out of college, publishing newspapers…I can say that this is the warmest group of people and businesses I’ve been around. It’s only been four weeks and I’m just really proud to tell the story. I’m excited to be here. I want to bring together residents and businesses and I want to give thanks. We want to be a watchdog in the community.”

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