❤️This Valentine's Day Show Some Love to Jamaica Avenue!❤️ - E-newsletter

Show Some Love on Jamaica Avenue!
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we have produced these cute “I Love Jamaica Avenue” decals, which we are providing to every business (large or small) on Jamaica Avenue today to display in their storefront window.
A vibrant Jamaica Avenue business community employs our neighbors and keeps our shopping corridor active, safe, and vibrant with a variety of retail, services, eateries, entertainment and foot traffic. When considering where to spend your shopping dollars, remember to show Jamaica Avenue some love. It’s an investment in this community that pays off.
View the rest of our E-newsletter here!

Procrastination Station! - E-newsletter

Relief for last-minute holiday shoppers!

Delayed in your Holiday Shopping? We’re here to help! We’ve all been guilty of procrastinating at one time or another. If you didn’t get around to shop for your Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza or Festivus celebrations yet, no matter! Jamaica Center BID is a safe space for last-minute holiday shoppers. From December 14-25 we are offering a slew of shopping support services crafted specifically with procrastinators in mind!
Procrastinator Bonus Bags: Sunday, December 15 - 24 (All Day Long):
Shop or dine at any business on Jamaica Avenue* from the 15th - 24th and YOU just might be the lucky person handed a Jamaica Avenue Seasonal Swag Bag packed with fun winter surprises and a gift card for extra shopping on the Ave! In this case, procrastinating pays off! 
*Bonus bag promotion applies within BID boundaries of Jamaica Ave from 169th to Sutphin Ave and Union Hall between Jamaica Ave and Archer. One bag will be given to a randomly-selected local shopper daily.
Ugly Sweater Selfie Jam:
Visit our two Ugly Sweater selfie stations at 159-26 Jamaica Avenue and show us your ugly sweater game. Snap a pic, then post to social media tagging @jamcenterbid on Instagram or Jamaica Avenue on Facebook with hashtag #UglySweaterJam. In early January we’ll post all ugly sweaters on our Instagram story soliciting votes for the best pic. The winner gets a $50 gift card for even more shopping on Jamaica Avenue! What a great way to start the new year!
Last-Minute Gift Ideas:
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. From December 14 -23 we will be posting a curated list of gifts you can purchase on the Ave!
Ultimate Hour Shopping Directory:
Alright. You’re really pushing it with the belated shopping aren’t you? Download our promotional flyer with a listing of stores open on the 24th to meet your *truly* last-minute needs.

Trick or Treat on the Ave! - E-newsletter

We're celebrating Halloween on the Avenue with a new special event on Saturday, October 26 at Rufus King Park (150-29 Jamaica Avenue) with a variety of FREE family fun activities including music, arts and crafts! Afterward, be sure to support local businesses for FREE treats and shop while you're there. Costumes are encouraged! Please help spread the word!

 

Official Schedule for Family Fun on the Ave This Saturday!

Schedule of Events for
Family Fun on the Ave – Saturday, August 17
#Funontheave

The following free activities will take place the entire time of Family Fun on the Ave (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.):

Noon - 1 p.m. 

1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Family Fun on the Ave!

Weekend Walks returns to Downtown Jamaica Saturday, August 17 on Jamaica Avenue (Parsons to 162nd Street) as the Jamaica Center BID enlivens the street with games and activities for kids and families.
Slated activities will include a music performance from the Afro-Latineers, a dance performance tap from Omar Edwards, Miss Keila's Jukebox Music, life-sized games, a mini-golf course, a kids’ corner (including hands-on science and reading activities via the Uni Project), community vendors and plenty of movable tables and chairs for lingering.
Did you miss our first Family Fun on the Ave event on July 13? If so here is a photo gallery of the event and a taste of what to expect on August 17!

Official Schedule for Family Fun on the Ave This Saturday!

Schedule of Events for
Family Fun on the Ave – Saturday, July 13
#Funontheave

The following free activities will take place the entire time of Family Fun on the Ave (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.):

From 11:15 a.m. - Noon:

Noon – 2 p.m.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Family Fun On The Ave Event Flyer

Jamaica Center BID Brings Family Fun to Jamaica Avenue

Family Fun On The Ave Event FlyerJamaica, Queens, July 10, 2019 – The Jamaica Center BID will host their very first ever Weekend Walks event, “Family Fun on the Ave”, this Saturday, July 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jamaica Avenue between Parsons Boulevard and 162nd Street.

Weekend Walks, an NYC Department of Transportation initiative, are multi-block, multi-day events on commercial corridors that promote the use of streets as public space and highlight local cultural institutions, businesses, and neighborhood resources. Community organizations are invited to apply for Weekend Walks funding.

On Saturday, all vehicle traffic will be diverted off of Jamaica Avenue from Parsons Boulevard to 162nd Street allowing the street to be transformed into a unique playground with plenty to do for all ages. The day’s entertainment will include a bubble art performance by Chris Catanese, better known as “Bubbledad”, and a hands-on history activity courtesy of King Manor Museum. The Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning will provide a hip-hop class to kick off the event at 11:15 a.m. and will showcase jazz performer Napoleon Revels-Bey at 1 p.m., who will be participating in their Downtown Jamaica Jazz Festival also happening the same weekend. Jamaica Center BID’s Family Fun on the Ave will also include free face-painting, a variety of games ranging from giant Jenga to huge checkers, the schoolyard favorite: double dutch jump-roping, and a coloring area where adults and children alike can enjoy the relaxing activity of coloring using a selection of quirky and cute coloring books.

“The Jamaica Center BID is excited to bring a new event under the BID’s umbrella to the Downtown Jamaica community,” said Jennifer Furioli, Executive Director of the Jamaica Center BID. “We hope this can become a yearly summer tradition for the BID’s programming as we continue to explore new ways to engage the Downtown Jamaica community and create a sense of place in our vibrant business district.”

The Jamaica Center BID decided to coordinate “Family Fun on the Avenue” after merchants, shoppers, and residents revealed in a recent market study that they would like more family-friendly community events in Jamaica.

In addition to this weekend’s event, the BID will also host a second “Family Fun on the Ave” on Saturday, August 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To learn more about the Jamaica Center BID and stay up-to-date on all happenings on Jamaica Avenue, make sure to visit www.Jamaica.nyc, sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District (BID)

Founded as the Jamaica District Management Association in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID is central to one of New York City’s fastest growing communities. Jamaica Center BID is the proud home to national and regional retailers, several major cultural and educational institutions as well as City, State and Federal Offices, and more than 400 businesses. The Jamaica Center BID seeks to maintain Jamaica Center as a thriving business hub and premier destination to shop, work, live and play. For more info visit www.Jamaica.nyc.

 

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Sidewalk Sales Days This Weekend July 12 - 14 and July 19 - 21!

People walking down Jamaica Avenue near the store RoxxSidewalk Sales Days, a favorite warm weather activity, are back for the second weekend in June on Jamaica Avenue July 12 -14 and July 19 - 21! Shoppers and business owners learn more and download the permit here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit NYC Department of Small Business Services

Family Fun On The Ave!

We are so excited to bring you Family Fun On The Ave on Saturday, July 13 with an encore on Saturday, August 17! We’ll have life-sized games, Bubbledad, music, a mini golf course, a dance class and your favorite community vendors all in the middle of Jamaica Ave! Stay tuned for more details but mark your calendar today for July 13!

Family Fun On The Ave Event Flyer

FREE!! Instagram Workshop for Small Business Owners

FREE!! Instagram Workshop for Small Business Owners. Beginners Welcome!Come learn how to set up your business Instagram page, take appealing pictures, attract customers, use hashtags effectively, and more!
Bonus: Learn how to list your business on Google 
Maps!!

When: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 from 9AM - 11AM
Where: Queens Library Central, 89-11 Merrick Blvd
Limited spots so RSVP here:
Questions? Email: [email protected]

 

BRIC, Jamaica Center BID, NYC Department of Small Business Services

Storefront Improvement Program

Picture of Downtown Jamaica AvenueStorefronts are important to New York City neighborhoods. They house local businesses, are a visible part of the street, and define the character and feel of a community. Well-designed storefronts enhance and give identity to local businesses and encourage potential customers to walk in the door.

The Jamaica Center BID is helping the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to notify property and business owners that storefront improvement funding is available in FY2020 in Jamaica.

Administered by SBS, the Downtown Jamaica Storefront Improvement Program provides funding to local property owners and businesses to complete exterior building renovation projects. The program reimburses up to 75% of the cost of eligible improvements with a maximum grant of $20,000 per property. Learn more here.

Jamaica Center BID Names Jennifer Furioli as New Executive Director

Executive Director, Jennifer Furioli standing with the BIDs StreetPlus worker Emiliano.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2019

Jamaica, Queens, New York City

Jamaica Center Business Improvement District Names Jennifer Furioli as New Executive Director

The Jamaica Center Business Improvement District, the BID covering the commercial area along Jamaica Avenue from Sutphin Boulevard to 169th Street and Union Hall Street, has appointed Jennifer Furioli as its new Executive Director.

Ms. Furioli most recently served with the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (NRBID), where she was responsible for overseeing the New Rochelle Grand Market, NRBID events and external NRBID communications. Partnering closely with NRBID’s Executive Director, Jennifer also worked on placemaking initiatives and providing additional advisory to the IDEA New Rochelle (Arts and Technology district) initiative. In 2018, she was a key member of the City of New Rochelle’s Mayors Challenge team: an interdisciplinary group of New Rochelle City executives, New Rochelle BID employees and technologists from IDEA New Rochelle competing against other cities nationwide to develop innovative solutions to city problems. New Rochelle’s team was one of nine cities to win the Mayors Challenge, resulting in a $1 million dollar implementation grant for the City of New Rochelle to utilize augmented and virtual reality as a tool to increase citizen engagement in the city planning process.

Prior to joining NRBID in 2016, Jennifer worked for one of New York City’s flagship BIDs, the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District in Manhattan. While at Lincoln Square, worked on a city-wide committee to make the UWS and Lincoln Square more age friendly District, raised sponsorship dollars for Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square, authored external BID communications, including, but not limited to the organization’s website, dining guide, annual reports, required City impact reports, and weekly constituent communications, and helped advocate for a newly-designed Dante Park. Her past experience also includes time at New York City’s Department of Small Business Services, which oversees the City’s network of 76 Business Improvement Districts.

“Our board is grateful to outgoing Executive Director Whitney Barrat for her leadership and service, and equally pleased to welcome Jennifer Furioli to the Jamaica Center BID,” said Board Chair Michael Hirschhorn. “More than ever, our board is committed to fostering strong community ties and partnerships with our retailers, community-based organizations, governmental entities and anchor institutions, and building a culture of organizational excellence. Jennifer is equally committed to our vision and we look forward to working with her and our many local partners to support this thriving retail and cultural hub in Jamaica.”

Ms. Furioli holds a B.A. in English Literature and Spanish Language from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.

“There were so many things that attracted me to this position,” stated Jennifer: I’m excited by the new development and retail that’s bringing a fresh sense of excitement to Jamaica, and also enthusiastic about the committed long-term retailers that have called Jamaica Center BID home for many years. What ultimately reeled me in was the community: the network of committed businesses, property owners, economic development, cultural, educational, governmental, and religious institutions that have invested in Jamaica for decades. My staff and I are committed to maintaining and growing those partnerships for the benefit of the Jamaica Center BID and overall Downtown Jamaica neighborhood and I can’t thank the BID’s Board of Directors enough for providing me the opportunity to serve this organization and community in the coming years.”

 

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