Moving Forward: FDC 2021 Year In Review

Living through the pandemic, FDC Gives Small Businesses What They Need to Survive and Thrive

A lot goes into keeping small businesses open, especially during a pandemic. This year FDC and its partners provided technology, legal services, financial tools, and City regulatory assistance to our 300+ Ditmas Park businesses. We know that the well-being of small businesses means jobs preserved, quality goods and services for the community, and a more vibrant, healthy place to call home.

1:  Small Business Advocacy and Support

Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses

Black business owners anchor their communities. On a cold February day FDC was joined by City Commission on Human Rights, and acclaimed photographer Andre D. Wagner to document the economic power that Black owned Businesses bring to our city. Black business owners anchor their communities. On a cold February day FDC was joined by City Commission on Human Rights, and acclaimed photographer Andre D. Wagner to document the economic power that Black owned Businesses bring to our city.

Hurricane Ida:  How FDC Responded

First came the pandemic surge, then Ida. Local small businesses and neighbors faced unprecedented loss and flooding. FDC and its partners quickly responded with a FEMA Day to provide resources and grants. Many merchants received financial resources and residents met with FEMA officers for application support.

2:  FDC Community Events

Music, art, food and play on streets and porches

Small Businesses and neighbors transformed porches, streets, and sidewalks around Ditmas Park into COVID safe venues for a healthy, fun lifestyle.

Ditmas Park Day: Strength in Numbers

FDC held its first successful Ditmas Park Day—a biannual event to unite residents and small businesses around community awareness and City cuts due to COVID. Together we cleaned sidewalks, recycled three tons of paper, two tons of clothing, and three tons of electronic waste.

Ditmas Park Day meant cleaner, more vibrant life on our sidewalks.

Ditmas Park Day meant our tree and flower beds got spruced up, making our small businesses on Newkirk Avenue and Cortelyou Road more appealing.

Open Streets

FDC transformed Newkirk Avenue into one of the many NYC Open streets in the summer of 2021. Summer Sundays brought free music, arts, dancing, and outdoor dining.

Community enjoying performances by the Bindlestiff Circus at Ditmas Park Day

FDC and 5PM Porch Music turned Newkirk Avenue into a classroom and performance space for many local students. Neighbors enjoyed live music and top-notch food, drinks, and services from our local businesses.

3:  New Business and Community Partnerships

FDC Supports Women

Although the pandemic disproportionately impacted women-owned businesses, CedarStar Catering and La Petite Chambre took the lead in providing delicious Lebanese-inspired food & catering services, and fine children’s new & used clothing. Kudos to moms Raisie and Berta for their COVID-proof businesses.

 

FDC, the Horticultural Society of NY, and NYC Department of Transportation

FDC, The Horticultural Society of NY, and NYC DOT joined forces to provide daily sanitation and greening services to Newkirk Plaza. This partnership expanded to Cortelyou Road where you’ll find colorful seasonal tree bed plantings. Plants and flowers in tree beds mean less litter, making all our storefronts more appealing

James and Corey from Ace Services

James and Corey from ACE Services began working in Newkirk Plaza over two years ago as workforce development clients and quickly rose to site supervisors due to their excellent greening and sanitation services. If you’ve noticed that the Plaza has been cleaner since their arrival, it’s because they believe keeping the Plaza clean will make people litter less. Both are proud dads and take pride in the work they do. Thank you James and Corey for giving the Plaza your best!

Public Arts, Oye Studio, Kabir’s Mural

FDC and OYE studios brought color and life to the corner of Marlborough and Foster Ave. Stroll by and check out the beautiful mural on the wall of Kabir’s Bakery.

Public Arts, Killa Collage & Artmaggedon

In collaboration with Killa Collage & Artmaggedon — FDC collected used wooden chairs and benches from our neighbors, and upcycled the pieces to make colorful, collaged public art installations. They were exhibited in front of local businesses to provide nice outdoor seating while enjoying district small business offerings.

Our events in 2022

• Flatbush Frolic
• Newkirk Avenue Open Streets
• Ditmas Park Day
• Make Music Ditmas Park
• Holiday Celebrations and More!

Special thanks to all our photographers!

Andre D. Wagner, Ron Diamond, Lupe Ramsey, Annie Del Hierro-Jost

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