Letter To The Editor: County Should Help More Rockland Businesses

To the Editor:

It was nice to read your article announcing the Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant program. (SEE: Rockland Offers Restaurants Rescue Grants.) Our amazing restaurants certainly deserve the assistance and support from the community. However, I can’t help but wonder, where is the financial assistance and support for the many other valuable and struggling small businesses in the County?

I have been a small business owner in Rockland for the past 9 years. I grew up in New City and am raising my family here. As we all know, the last 2 years were extremely hard for small business owners everywhere. I would love to see the grant program include assistance for other small businesses in our County. There are so many of us who have been struggling now for almost two years and are hanging on by a thread. This thread will break in 2022 if we do not get some help.

For example, my business, Shine Yoga Kids, is a small business which offers yoga and meditation classes for children and teens. My studio has been located on Maple Avenue in New City for several years. I have worked with hundreds of children and teens in the county since 2013. I believe I have made a positive impact on our community and our kids and would like to continue doing so for many years to come. There are several other businesses like mine throughout the county. We are yoga studios, dance studios, art studios, theater programs, kid’s gyms, etc. We offer afterschool and weekend activities, parent/child classes, enrichment programs, camps, birthday parties, workshops, etc. Our goal is to enhance the lives of the children and teens, and their families, in our community.

This pandemic has hit us hard.

Like so many, we had to scramble and switch gears to figure out how to stay in business. We issued thousands of dollars in refunds due to the lockdown. Rather than close our doors, some of us got creative and began offering virtual classes, which understandably is not ideal for every child. All the while, we continued to pay rent, expenses, etc. while virtual. We purchased air purifiers, touchless sanitizing stations, PPE, enhanced cleaning supplies, etc. for when we were able to open back up again. All at our own expense, which we did without complaining, because we were determined to stay in business.

As this pandemic continues, we still do not have as many kids enrolled as we are used to. We understand why, but it’s tough. We have struggled and are continuing to struggle and there seems to be no help for us from the county.

Again, to reiterate, I am thrilled that our restaurants are getting more help. They deserve it one hundred percent, but so do other small businesses, and if someone doesn't help us out, many of our businesses will be gone as early as this year. We desperately need help from the county in which we serve and I truly hope something is done for us.

Reviving and Rebuilding Rockland should include ALL struggling businesses.

Thank you,

Amy Hough

Owner, Shine Yoga Kids

104 Maple Avenue

New City NY 10956.