Congressman Dan Goldman Tours Small Businesses in East Village, Presents Congressional Proclamation of New York Small Businessperson of the Year in Tribeca

 

 

New York, NY – To close National Small Business Week, Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today hosted a series of events to showcase small businesses across NY-10. Congressman Goldman started the day by leading a tour of small businesses in the East Village alongside Laura Sewell, Executive Director of the East Village Community Coalition, and Abigail Elman, Director of Planning and Development at the Cooper Square Committee. They were joined by New York State Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim, U.S. Small Business Administration Outreach and Marketing Specialist Sam Ballena, Manhattan Community Board 3 Chairperson Andrea Gordillo, and Manhattan Community Board 3 District Manager Susan Stetzer.

 

Following the tour of small businesses, Congressman Goldman presented a Congressional Proclamation to Chef Aneesa Waheed in recognition of her selection as the 2024 New York Small Businessperson of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration.

 

“New York City runs on small businesses. From corner store bodegas to community laundromats and historic restaurants, the thousands of entrepreneurs, owners, and mom-and-pop shops that call NY-10 home are what make New York the greatest city in the world,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “I am incredibly proud and honored to cap off Small Business Week by meeting with these small business owners who embody the New York spirit. I encourage everyone to visit NY-10's small businesses – they’re truly the best in the world.”

 

 

During the East Village Small Business Tour, Congressman Goldman toured: Random Accessories, Piccola Strada, Pageant Print Shop, 4th Street Photo Gallery, The Fragrance Shop, 4th St Copy Center, Tom's Juice, and Factory Tamal.

 

Congressman Goldman met with the owners at each of these small businesses and discussed the issues they face as they operate their businesses, some of which have been operating for more than 20 years. Among the small business owners’ concerns were applying for and using Small Business Administration loans, public safety, being able to better market their businesses, and obtaining resources from the Small Business Administration.

 

 

Aneesa Waheed is chef, owner and founder of Tara Kitchen, a Moroccan restaurant which she started in Schenectady, NY in 2012, after falling in love with Moroccan cuisine while visiting Marrakech. In the last decade, the business has grown to six locations, including a location in Tribeca.

 

Chef Waheed and the Tara Kitchen team faced incredible challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aneesa received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan through the Small Business Administration in 2020. Since dine-in service wasn’t possible, Aneesa used the financial assistance to offer take-out and weekly specials. Throughout the pandemic, Aneesa maintained her staff and now has close to 50 employees.

 

Chef Aneesa dedicates time to charitable initiatives from local schools to the Tara Incubator, where she offers support for women- and minority-owned businesses. Tara Incubator provides resources and one-on-one mentoring for these businesses.

 

 

Earlier this week, Congressman Dan Goldman convened a virtual roundtable discussion to provide resources forsmall business owners, discuss the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on small businesses, and answer questions from business owners on how the office and agencies can support them.

 

The Congressman was joined by Troy Diaz, Lead Lender Relations Specialist for the Small Business Administration New York District Office; Haris Khan, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the New York City Department of Small Business Services; Andrew Flamm, Regional Director of the Pace University Small Business Development Center; and Matt Salton, Federal Campaigns Manager for the New York League of Conservation Voters.