New Businesses on Jamaica Avenue:

If you are a new business to Jamaica Avenue please find a “Welcome Wagon” from our BID to you that provides information about our BID, business services that we can provide you, helpful business resources, an FAQ and contact information for local representatives. You can view the English version here and the Spanish version here.

Marketing & Promotion:

We promote our downtown retail community as a whole, AND our businesses within. Have a special event or promotion? Share it with us, and we’ll send it to our thousands of e-newsletter and social media subscribers. Over the course of a year, we coordinate  district-wide advertising campaigns, special events and neighborhood promotions designed to attract visitors to Jamaica Avenue, and by extension, the stores within. Local merchants are invited to “plug into” these many marketing campaigns at no cost to them. 

Violations Clarity/District Issues Resolution: 

Have you received a confusing business violation by the City’s Dept. Of Consumer Affairs, Sanitation or similar? Call us so that we can help you identify the reason and resolve the situation. We’re also here to advocate on your behalf if loitering, illegal dumping, or other quality of life issues are affecting your business.  If you would like to file a complaint yourself to the Business Integrity Commission, you can do so here. 

Continuing Education and Technical Assistance:

Periodically we engage specialists to provide free training to our local business community. Trainings are created based on observed need and incoming business requests. Our current focus: helping businesses develop a free online presence using established digital platforms (Yelp, Google Maps, Instagram and Facebook) and merchandise storefront windows to increase foot traffic, interest and sales.  

Information Dissemination:

We keep abreast of new incentives, business classes and citywide regulations and initiatives, sharing them with our local business community as we learn of them.

Business Networking:  

Our semi-annual happy hours allow businesses the opportunity to mingle, develop alliances, and meet other key players in our commercial community.  

• New York City’s Department of Small Business Services “SBS”  
• SBS Small Business Support Center-Jamaica Sutphin Ave location 
• New York Small Business Development Center at York College 
• Greater Jamaica Development Corporation 
• Queens Economic Development Corporation 
• Queens Chamber of Commerce 
• Black Entrepreneurs NYC (BE NYC) 
• Women Entrepreneurs NYC (WE NYC) 
• NYC Score 
• Sutphin Boulevard BID & 165th Street Mall (Jamaica Avenue BID’s neighboring districts) 
• Commercial Lease Guide (NYC SBS Publication) and Commercial Lease legal advisory 
• Free Business Compliance Consultation (NYC SBS), What to Expect When You are Inspected Guide, Common Business Violations Guide,  NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings “OATH” (for business summons)
  • "OATH" Help Center
  • "OATH" Fact Sheets for Common Issues/Case Types
• Mediating Establishment and Neighborhood Disputes (MEND) NYC. MEND NYC helps New Yorkers address issues in their neighborhood that may include:
  • Quality-of-life issues between residents and businesses
  • Negotiation between commercial tenants and landlords
  • Neighboring business to business misunderstandings
• Weighted Guidelines DOB Outdoor Structure Guidance
• Weather Advisory Subscription
• Storefront Improvement Guide (NYC SBS)