Ever since NYC entered Phase 2 of NY Forward back in June, SoHo Broadway businesses slowly began reopening, albeit with modified approaches and a commitment to ensuring the proper measures are made to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Retailers are now operating with a reduced capacity for shoppers, while restaurants have transitioned to outdoor dining. We’ve gathered a handful of encouraging examples below of how local businesses are working to make shopping and dining safer experiences. The Initiative has been keeping an eye on the district and continues to update a list as more establishments resume business.
One of the biggest changes for retailers in the phased reopening is store capacity limitations. To ensure that social distancing procedures are followed inside stores that have reopened, retail spaces are allowing shoppers inside at half or even more limited capacities. In some instances, stores are taking temperatures of shoppers before allowing them into the store. Below are a few examples of what can be seen in the district: areas for queuing and signs informing shoppers of requirements for entering stores.
Nearly every district store is requiring masks for entry, so some retailers have set up stations for shoppers to acquire masks if they don’t have them, as well as hand sanitizer and other materials and information to improve the shopping experience.
Meanwhile, local dining establishments such as Think Coffee on Broadway and Lure on Mercer Street are participating in the NYC Open Restaurants Program.
We’ve been pleased to see local businesses adapt to challenging conditions and create a safe environment that instills confidence in their patrons and workers on SoHo Broadway.