Neil A. Carousso produces NewsNation original “Kurt’s Country” – a celebration of country music and a slice of Americana with host Kurt Bardella.
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Businesses Near Mets, Yankee Stadiums Take A Hit As Baseball Returns Without Fans
By Neil A. Carousso
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The boys of summer are back in town, but establishments near Yankee Stadium and Citi Field are fighting an uphill battle in a comeback dampened by a baseball season without fans in attendance.
“So far, since the pandemic, my sales are down $300,000,” said Joe Bastone whose family has owned Yankee Tavern for 93 years.
On the WCBS Small Business Spotlight, sponsored by BNB Bank, Joe Connolly and Neil A. Carousso examine how the local economy is impacted by empty stadiums as Major League Baseball begins its 2020 season Thursday night with the Yankees in Washington, D.C. The Mets host the Atlanta Braves on Friday in their season opener that can be heard on WCBS 880 at 4:10 PM.
Bastone says 50 percent of his revenue is earned during Yankees home games. Patronizing his bar and restaurant is a game day routine for fans who travel from the region and throughout the country. Yanks legend Babe Ruth was known for buying a round of beer there for fans to celebrate a Bombers victory.
“It’s really devastating,” he lamented.
Yankee Tavern is only making 10 percent of what it typically earns on 161st Street. Bastone added televisions to an extended outdoor dining space with indoor dinning prohibited under state law indefinitely. He hopes people will enjoy a ballgame from his establishment beyond the right field gate.
“I just got a rent bill, which included $85,000 in real estate taxes,” he said, continuing, “I just don’t understand why we’re paying real estate taxes when the municipalities, the State and the City tell us we’re not allowed to operate.”
Bastone told Connolly and Carousso that “half” of businesses in the 161 Street Business Improvement District, which represents many of the merchandise shops and sports bars outside The Stadium, will not survive the pandemic-related shutdowns and the 2020 MLB season absent fans.
Irene DeBenedittis, third generation owner of Leo’s Latticini in Corona, Queens, is looking at the glass half full despite a grim outlook for what is typically their busy season with both the Mets in town and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships that draws millions of people from around the world every summer.
“I had the plexiglass set up for outside and we’re just doing takeout and home orders,” she said. “For now, I think it’s going well like that.”
Her grandparents started the family deli in the 1930s. Irene grew up making fresh mozzarella with her two sisters Carmela and Marie. Their mother Nancy took over the business and was beloved by her customers. But, the millions of Mets fans who came for lunch before an afternoon game at Shea Stadium and the City workers who stopped in on their lunch hour for a homemade hero did not know her as Nancy; they knew her as “Mama” – the endearing nickname that lives on since she passed away in 2009, as the deli is colloquially referred to the name of their Citi Field concession designation “Mama’s of Corona.”
“I’m proud of what we were taught – our ethics, the background,” DiBenedittis said.
It’s that positive outlook on life that is getting her through this crisis.
“You have to appreciate what you have and work for it,” she said.
Irene told Joe and Neil that she is operating her Queens deli out of love – the same unconditional love her grandparents instilled in Mama who raised three daughters in a community that saw them as family.
She said in these unprecedented circumstances, she encourages her workers to treat their customers “like yourself or your family.”
It’s #OpeningDay for the @Mets! Sports sidelined to #COVID19 has had a considerable impact on the economy.
Listen to @JoeConnollybiz & my @WCBS880 podcast as we talk to the owners of 90+ year old businesses Leo’s Latticini/#MamasofCorona & @YankeeTavern: https://t.co/MnZI2bDMO1 pic.twitter.com/r4FgahqcWd
— Neil A. Carousso (@NeilACarousso) July 24, 2020
DiBenedittis says Leo’s Latticini is earning a much smaller profit amid the coronavirus pandemic between the deli and the bakery next door. The concession at Citi Field, where they sell their specialty sandwiches and Italian desserts, will remain closed this season.
“We’re doing the best we can,” she said.
Hear what a baseball season without fans means for the local economy plus stories about legendary players going out to eat on the WCBS Small Business Spotlight Podcast on the RADIO.COM app or on the media player above.
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A Week Of Pandemic Violence
By Neil A. Carousso
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A surge in gun violence this week began with the killing of a 1 year old in Brooklyn and continued throughout the week as police officers, including NYPD Chief of Department Terrence A. Monahan, were injured in a Wednesday protest on the Brooklyn Bridge that was billed as a march against violence.
Neil A. Carousso produced the Week In Sound as heard on WCBS Newsradio 880 for the week ending July 17, 2020 that included an increase of gun violence in New York City, spikes in COVID-19 cases nationwide, progress on a vaccine from Moderna, and debate over reopening schools safely. Hear it on the media player above.
You can listen to The 880 Weekly Rewind with Lynda Lopez Friday nights at 7 PM ET for a deeper dive into the top local, national and international stories of the week, featuring interviews with newsmakers and the Week In Sound as heard on WCBS Newsradio 880.
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Week In Sound: COVID Spikes and Classroom Debate
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Coronavirus cases increase throughout the nation, including in New Jersey where Gov. Phil Murphy mandated people wear masks outside when social distancing is not possible. Plus, leaders debate how to reopen schools safely and much more on a busy news week.
Neil A. Carousso produced the Week In Sound as heard on WCBS Newsradio 880 for the week ending July 10, 2020. Hear it on the player above.
You can listen to The 880 Weekly Rewind with Lynda Lopez Friday nights at 7 PM ET for a deeper dive into the top local, national and international stories of the week, featuring interviews with newsmakers and the Week In Sound as heard on WCBS Newsradio 880.
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5 Tips To Help Businesses Survive The Coronavirus Crisis
By Neil A. Carousso
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Three local entrepreneurs who have proven sustainability through a series of essential pivots to survive the COVID-19 pandemic are sharing their advice for their peers in the business community.
Here are the major takeaways from the first-ever WCBS Virtual Business Breakfast, hosted by Joe Connolly.
Keep Your Ear to the Ground
Cindi Bigelow, third generation owner of Fairfield-based Bigelow Tea, relied on her experience and that of her team to make quick operational decisions that they would normally deliberate on for some time, because it was not an option as state and federal workplace health guidance changed rapidly.
“Listen to the sales people and encouraging the sales people,” Bigelow said as segments of her company’s revenue was wiped out amid the crisis and others have increased upwards of 200 percent.
Cindi Bigelow says segments of @bigelowtea’s revenue plummeted to $0 while others rose 200%.
See her advice for keeping your ear to ground on the Virtual #WCBSBizBreakfast with @JoeConnollybiz, sponsored by @investorsbank and @SpectrumBiz: https://t.co/409blHRGCm pic.twitter.com/87RrZsiHef
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) June 30, 2020
She has weekly meetings with her sales team to learn how customers and retailers behaviors have changed and what that means for Bigelow Tea’s future.
Bigelow also believes strongly in being the face of communications with customers and partners as an owner during this unprecedented crisis.
“I’m saying to my sales team, whether it’s a good news story or not a good news story, use me,” she said.
Do Not Undersell the Art of Communication
It may sound simple and obvious, but many business leaders fail to communicate effectively to both customers and employees. Michael Bednark, founder of Bednark Studio in Brooklyn, says ensuring everyone on the same page is especially important during a time of crisis.
Do not undersell the art of communication. That’s one tip from Michael Bednark of @bednarkstudio who saw the value in increased corporate and customer communications amid #COVID19.
More advice with @JoeConnollybiz: https://t.co/409blHRGCm
@investorsbank; @SpectrumBiz pic.twitter.com/jZcvYhBqVQ
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) July 2, 2020
“The feedback we got early on was that we weren’t communicating well enough and we weren’t fostering that community you naturally sort of have when everyone’s in a team setting and in an office together,” Bednark said.
“Clear communication, making sure that everyone knew what was going on, what was to come, and what we were unsure of,” said Bednark on how he improved in that area since March.
He needed just two weeks at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic to move his Brooklyn Navy Yard factory into a larger space in the historic industrial complex to ramp up a war-like manufacturing endeavor to provide Personal Protective Equipment or PPE to New York City hospital workers, beating the largest face shield producer, Bauer Hockey, to market with its design.
Spoiler alert! Michael Bednark of @bednarkstudio reveals how he is approaching negotiations with his landlord – @BklynNavyYard – first on the Virtual #WCBSBizBreakfast with @JoeConnollybiz and @NeilACarousso: https://t.co/409blHRGCm
Sponsored by @investorsbank and @SpectrumBiz. pic.twitter.com/HK0B6JAIM1
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) July 5, 2020
“I know we’re talking with the Navy Yard here, seeing what’s available to us,” Bednark answered WCBS Business Producer Neil A. Carousso’s question regarding negotiating with landlords. “Is there a way we can get some sort of rent abatement here to get us through the next few months, and then, see what happens on the other side or see if we can extend the lease with better terms?” he pondered.
Bednark Studio is currently hiring assembly line workers. In the last month, it began designing and installing plastic dividers for ride-sharing drivers’ cars to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Bednark shares its designs with other companies as an example of the community-focused businessman as the world grapples with the unprecedented health crisis that set off economic turmoil.
“Follow the Customer”
Joe Colangelo developed an app-based solution to commuter parking and had been thriving in the space until the pandemic shut down businesses and put the brakes on mass transportation. New Jersey-based Boxcar quickly pivoted to grocery delivery and pick-up, above ground pool installation, car detailing and drive-in movies for brand awareness.
“Talk to your customers.” @Itsjoeco of @boxcartransit explains how he pivoted into four new services after finding the demand.
See five ways to survive the pandemic with @JoeConnollybiz, sponsored by @investorsbank and @SpectrumBiz: https://t.co/409blHRGCm pic.twitter.com/enVHYKuOI0
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) July 6, 2020
“Talk to your customers on the phone. Just say, ‘Hey, can I grab you for fifteen minutes? I just want to hear what your problems are,'” Colangelo advised.
A defining moment: @Itsjoeco of @boxcartransit believes you will “build up the best brand if you treat people fairly right now.”
See how to pivot to survive on the Virtual #WCBSBizBreakfast, hosted by @JoeConnollybiz: https://t.co/409blHRGCm
@investorsbank; @SpectrumBiz pic.twitter.com/UhOs8wlVt4
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) July 7, 2020
“How did you want to act during this crisis?” reflected Colangelo. “Were you out there helping people, treating your counterparties, your partners fairly? Because, you will build up the best brand and that brand will be around for 30-40 years if you treat people fairly right now.”
Make Prudent Business Decisions
“Attack your cost line,” Colangelo emphasized.
He explained that cost-cutting is necessary and one way to start is by attempting to renegotiate subscription agreements. A merchant may be content with receiving a partial payment during the pandemic rather than taking a risk that a company could file for bankruptcy.
Make prudent business decisions: @boxcartransit founder @Itsjoeco tells @JoeConnollybiz how he has found good people willing to help in a time of crisis.
See tips for survival: https://t.co/409blHRGCm#WCBSBizBreakfast is sponsored by @investorsbank & @SpectrumBiz. pic.twitter.com/nW2ip56ojR
— WCBS 880 (@wcbs880) July 11, 2020
“This is a real crisis and what a crisis does is it brings out the best in good people,” the Boxcar founder said. “Talk to the people who have helped you over the years and not everybody’s going to be in the same situation, but a lot of them may be in a position to help.”
“Tell Your Story”
Ramon Ray from Smart Hustle Media submitted an audience question about how small businesses can utilize video in their marketing. Bigelow said she’s a “big fan” of using video to show prospective clients your personality.
https://twitter.com/wcbs880/status/1282287499839188992?s=20
“I think small businesses have a really unique story,” Cindi said, adding that video “Can give you that opportunity to have that transparency that people are really looking for as well as that ability to say why you’re different and what makes you special.”
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Week In Sound: Tri-State Reopenings
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Neil A. Carousso produced the week in sound as heard on WCBS Newsradio 880 for the week ending June 26, 2020. Hear it on the player below.
For the latest news in the New York Metropolitan Area and throughout the world, visit WCBS880.com.
