Westbury BID`s Incentive Newsletter

Westbury Business
Improvement District
Incentive Program Newsletter
For Business & Property Owners
We want your business in the
Westbury Village Business District!
The Westbury B.I.D. is excited to let you know about a new Financial
Incentive Program worth up to $20,000 to new business owners.
This innovative program was designed to attract new retail and
anchor stores, national and regional franchises as well as specialty
shops to balance our area which already offers such a wonderful array
of service businesses. The incentive dollars can be used to offset
start-up costs or anything else that you need to get your store up and
running.
Recently, the program was expanded to also include property owners.
If a property owner leases a property to a qualifying new business,
they are also eligible to receive financial incentives.
Inside the rest of this booklet you’ll find information about the
Westbury area, what the Westbury B.I.D. is and what we focus on, as
well as testimony from elected officials and business owners alike who
find Westbury a great place to live, work and shop.
If you are interested in finding out more about this advantageous
program, and if your business fits the criteria for the incentives we are
offering, please contact us to set up a meeting.
Bring your business to Westbury
and see everything we have to offer to
help you achieve maximum success!
www.WestburyBID.org
516.333.2235
What is a B.I.D.
A B.I.D., or Business Improvement District, is a specific geographic area
established in accordance with New York State law. They are non-profit
organizations established following a proposal by a group of property
owners to supplement services provided by the local municipality such as
cleaning streets, providing security, making capital improvements,
construction of pedestrian and streetscape enhancements, marketing the
area and promoting economic and community development.
Local government officials, business and property owners and economic
development experts have realized that the provision or expansion of
existing infrastructure is only part of what attracts and retains businesses.
Therefore, BID’s have become of vital importance and provide an invaluable
service to the area.
Location, Location, Location
Contact Us
Westbury B.I.D.
P.O. Box 10356
357 Rockland Street
Westbury, NY 11590
Tel/Fax: 516.333.2235
www.WestburyBID.org
[email protected]
The Incorporated
Village of Westbury,
New York is centrally
located on Long Island
in Nassau County, with
Suffolk County to its
east and Queens
County to its west.
The B.I.D. District is
strategically located in
the heart of Westbury
and encompasses
Post Avenue between
Old Country Road and
the Northern State
Parkway. Additionally,
some of the intersecting
side streets are
included.
Post Avenue is one of
the busiest north-south
arterials in the area,
with traffic in excess of 22,000 cars per day, and offers on-street parking as well as
seven easily accessible municipal parking fields.
The Long Island Railroad has a station in Westbury right at Post Avenue.
What is the Westbury B.I.D.’s Agenda?
The Westbury Business Improvement District focuses its efforts on a wide range of projects
and services that benefit all of the businesses within the designated BID District. Below are
several key programs and areas of focus that the BID sets its sights on in order to bring
and maintain business to all those within the district.
BID Sponsored Programs and Events
Facade Improvement
Keeping Post Avenue beautiful is a major priority for the BID. Therefore, to aid merchants in
maintaining the look of their storefront, the BID offers a Facade Program to those business and
property owners looking to redo the outside of their store. After BID-approved work has been
done to the facade, the BID will reimburse the business or property owner a partial amount of the
total cost. The BID has also run smaller “spruce up” programs where the BID fixed minor repairs or
repainted store fronts at no charge to the business owners.
Supplemental Security and Sanitation
In addition to Village Code Enforcement, the BID contracts for additional nightly security. The
Westbury BID also funds a sanitation program in addition to the sanitation that is provided by the
Village.
Street Beautification
Every spring the Westbury BID replaces the hanging flower baskets on the light poles and other
various plantings. In addition to the plantings, decorative banners are designed by the BID and
sponsored by local businesses, civic and other groups which are displayed throughout the
downtown. The BID also places cornstalks with bows on the parking meters in the fall. At holiday
time, we display decorations and provide holiday music.
Annual Street Fair and Fall Festival
Every fall, the Westbury BID holds its Annual Street Fair and Fall Festival. Our festival brings
thousands of new visitors and shoppers and offers the community plenty of shopping, a food court,
live music, a car show, raffles and much more. All BID Businesses are offered a free spot on the
sidewalk in addition to the dozens of vendors who line the streets. The Street Fair is yet another
chance for the businesses to get their name out and if they chose, they can sponsor an element of
the fair for even more exposure.
Financial Benefits and Advertising
Sign Grant Program
This program is for new businesses or existing businesses looking to replace their signage and works
to preserve the continuity of wood carved signs on Post Avenue. If your sign meets all of the Village
code requirements, as well as the BID’s design requirements, you can be reimbursed $500.00 to
help defray the cost of your new sign.
B.I.D. Dollars
B.I.D. Dollars is one of the Westbury BID’s most successful and beneficial financial and advertising
programs. In an effort to support our local businesses, the BID sends out BID Dollar coupons to
every resident in the Village of Westbury and Carle Place. Those coupons, in the amounts of $5.00
and $25.00 can be redeemed at participating BID businesses. After the promotion period is over,
the BID collects all of the BID Dollars that have been redeemed at each store, and reimburses that
business for every discount they gave out. This program is great advertising for your store and it
helps drive business, all at no cost to you.
Free Publicity
We publish two newsletters each year which publicize various BID sponsored programs and events,
in addition to spotlighting new and existing businesses. These newsletters get mailed to every home
in the Village of Westbury and Carle Place. In addition to those newsletters, we also mail our
merchant directories. Finally, the BID has a website and Facebook page that are updated daily and
we encourage our merchants to send us information to publicize. The BID also offers other
programs at a small cost, such the banner program and television commercials that businesses can
choose to participate in. The BID does a great deal of marketing of the Westbury area as well as the
businesses located within.
Want to
know
more?
These are just some of
the things that the BID
works on year round.
The most up to date
information about
upcoming events and
projects can always be
found on our website
under Calendar of
Events as well as our
Facebook page.
We encourage all
business and property
owners to get as
involved as possible
and those who are
looking for a more
serious involvement
are welcomed to attend
our meetings and join
our Board of Directors.
The Incentive Program
The Westbury Business Improvement District’s innovative new program which was designed
to draw great new stores to our business district by putting money into their pockets!
In an effort to create a better balance between the abundance of service businesses in our
District and recognizable names in retail and eateries, the Westbury BID
has developed the Incentive Program. We believe that this program, in combination with an
ongoing revitalization plan, which includes the redevelopment of a premiere
downtown performance arts center, makes Westbury a great place for your business.
Financial rewards are offered to entice national and regional chains and franchises, locally known
names and businesses, or specialty and boutique type businesses that have another successful
location or business history. The incentives are offered in tiers:
Tier One
$10,000 - $20,000
Tier One is for national chain affiliated
stores, consumer goods stores, or large
regional stores with a highly recognizable
name or brand. This tier is for a highly
desirable business or anchor store.
Tier Two
Tier Two is for established well-known
brand name retail stores, clothiers,
or regional/local chains,
and highly desirable business.
Tier Three
Tier Three is for boutiques, artisan shops
or specialty stores with at least one
additional successful location,
or to a highly desirable start-up.
$7,500 - $10,000
$5,000 - $7,500
www.WestburyBID.org
A Special
Message
for
Property
Owners
Our property owners play a very important
part in the success of our Incentive Program
because without you, these stores would have
no where to call home. With that in mind, the
Westbury BID has now expanded the program
to include property owners! We are offering
substantial financial rewards when you secure
tenants who fall within the guidelines of this
program. The money can be used to pay your
broker’s fee, or other incurred expenses, up to
$5,000 when you bring in a new qualifying
business eligible for the incentive program.
Remember, in additional to the financial
incentives available to you, you also have the
financial incentives for the business owners to
use as a tool to entice new tenants.
Wondering if your business would fall within the
guidelines of our Incentive Program?
Below is a partial list of categories & stores our business district is searching for:
Burger eatery such as Johnny Rockets or Five Guys
Jewelry store like Sterling or Kay Jewelers
Card and gift shop such as Hallmark
Children’s clothing store like Carters, Children’s Place or Gap Kids
Shoe store such as Easy Spirit or Nine West
Young adult clothing store like Forever 21 or H&M
Ice cream or yogurt shop like Hershey or Baskin Robbins
Italian ice place such as Ralph’s or Rita’s Ice
Italian gourmet deli, specialty food store or boutique restaurants
Specialty clothing store or boutique
If you’re curious to see if your business could benefit from this program and
exactly how much money you may be eligible for to help launch your business, contact us today!
The Incentive Program is subject to change at any time without notice by the BID. The BID has sole and absolute
discretion in determining the eligibility of any particular tenant under this program. All incentive grants are
subject to available funds and the continuation of the program by the BID, in its sole and absolute discretion.
516.333.2235
Revamped theater key
to Westbury revival
February 5, 2013 by SCOTT EIDLER
James Mollitor remembers the Westbury Theatre in better times. The
local restaurateur saw plenty of films at the once-majestic venue as a
boy, he said. Before it became littered with beer bottles. Before
homeless people started sleeping there. Before Post Avenue became a
"ghost town."
Now, more than a decade after going dark, the theater is staging a
comeback, courtesy of a multimillion-dollar makeover. And if it's
successful, the hope among political and business leaders is that
downtown Westbury will follow suit.
Experts say it's an experiment that bears watching. "For Central
Nassau County, this is groundbreaking," said Eric Alexander, executive
director of Vision Long Island, a smart-growth nonprofit based in
Northport. "It may serve as a model for other Nassau downtowns to use the arts as a centerpiece for their
communities."
The tale of Post Avenue is not unlike many other Main Streets. Mom-and-pop shops on the once-thriving street were
choked in the 1970s and '80s by large retailers at Roosevelt Field and The Source malls, business leaders said. Amid the
vacant storefronts, nothing symbolized downtown blight more than the movie house, a 1927 Tudor-style brick and
timber twin theater that closed in 2001.
Ruin to restoration
The theater, once the site of elaborate vaudeville productions, deteriorated so much that the courts ordered it kept
closed while the village and owner battled over its future. In 2004, Roslyn developer Cyrus Hakakian paid about
$1.7 million for the site at a bankruptcy auction. While pursuing the sale, Hakakian said, he was content to raze the
theater and replace it with retail stores and apartments. Then he stepped inside one day.
"It was just majestic," he said. "The skylight, the brick walls, it was just beautiful." Hakakian says he's poured nearly
$10 million into the new theater. He's kept its brick-and-steel shell, along with some of the building's original
woodwork.
The rest has been gutted and repurposed, with a new Tudor-style facade, tall columns and eight chandeliers. The
theater, which can hold 1,500, has six bars and lounge-style banquettes along the balcony, executive director Bruce
Michael said. And it is expected to create at least 30 full-time jobs, Hakakian added.
When it opens -- developers are planning on late March -- it will be reborn as The Space at Westbury, a state-of-theart performance center.
"We took a very old, aesthetically ugly, displeasing piece of property that hasn't been used at all," Mayor Peter
Cavallaro said. "It's being redeveloped for use that could change the whole dynamic of the village."
Mollitor is among those betting on its potential. The Paris-trained chef returned to his Westbury roots 2 1/2 years ago
after stints in Manhattan and Long Island. Mollitor, 52, bought the Galleria Ristorante down the street, an area staple
for the last 27 years. "I envision on a Thursday night there's a show, 400 people filing out of that theater at 10:15 at
night," Mollitor said, "coming for espresso or dessert." He will prepare a menu special for them.
www.WestburyBID.org
Drawing businesses
Mollitor is in, but attracting other business owners has proved tough, village leaders said. Some have balked at moving
to Post Avenue, fearing the promise of a revitalized downtown will not be realized.
"People are interested, but they are holding back until this movie theater puts the key in the door," said Catharine
Moramarco, vice president of the village's business improvement district. Business and village leaders hope the theater
will attract different kinds of stores than many populating Post Avenue today.
"We have a lot of service businesses and that's what we're trying to get away from," Moramarco said. She said she
would like to see fewer nail and hair salons and more businesses vital to a thriving downtown: high-end restaurants,
cheese shops, an "upscale" jewelry store, perhaps a frozen yogurt shop.
The village has tried wooing new retail to downtown, with mixed results. In the early 1990s, the village started the
business improvement district. It imposed an 18.5 percent tax on property owners -- reduced three years ago to
15 percent -- to fund a face-lift for the downtown corridor. Combined with state and local grants, the village invested
$3.5 million into the upgrades. In 1999, the improvement district began offering store owners $500 to adopt new
signage.
New look
The result: Post Avenue has a fresh "look." Most of the buildings are built of stucco and draped in HardiePlank siding.
Woodcarved signs with elegant fonts have replaced neon-lit lettering.
The approach has proved successful. In the 1990s, some 30 of 120 storefronts on Post Avenue stood vacant. Today,
according to the village, 92 percent are filled.
The business district -- the majority of which spans Post Avenue from Old Country Road to the Northern State
Parkway -- recently began soliciting specialty shops and national chains with grants. Large chains are eligible for
$10,000 to $20,000, specialty and mom-and-pop shops $5,000 to $7,500. So far, the approach has not paid off and is
being relaunched, this time for more property owners. Again, the tactic hinges on the theater's opening, business
leaders said.
In recent years, the village, looking to draw young professionals and empty-nesters, approved mixed-use zoning laws
that led to more than 400 multifamily units being built around the train station over the last 10 years. Most of them,
Cavallaro said, are filled. Revitalizing the downtown corridor, he said, is "a decision to be successful."
The capstone is the theater. Westbury isn't the first community to host a new performing arts center. Bay Shore,
Northport, Patchogue, Huntington and, most recently, Riverhead are among those that have invested in such facilities,
seeing them as vital to their downtowns.
Each is in Suffolk, and their largely successful centers -- like the one in Westbury -- have something in common,
Alexander said: "Right in the heart of a centrally located downtown, with an excellent train station."
Example for others
If Westbury is successful, Alexander said, the approach could take off in other Nassau communities.
Joseph DeLucia, owner of Maria's Pastry Shop on Post Avenue for 17 years, is among those who see opportunity. He
recently was having trouble coming to an agreement with his landlord on the price of rent and said he was considering
moving to Suffolk, or Manhattan. But DeLucia, who began his career in the shop weighing sugar and later rose to
become owner, was torn. "I grew up here, all my life; this was downtown," said DeLucia, 41. "I'm going to be the guy
who's gonna mess it up?"
He bought a vacant lot across the street and opened a bigger place in November. The shop sells the same pastries, but
he has added a new breakfast croissant line and imports high-end coffee roasts. And there's an espresso bar. The theater and the new condos are within blocks, which means potential new patrons. He wonders whether a poetry night
will draw them in. "I see a lot of young faces," he said hopefully.
He has big plans. He'd like to see the rest of Post Avenue catch up, too. "I believe this whole thing of change is a little
on the late side," he said. "But it's a good direction to go in."
516.333.2235
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
1550 FRANKLIN AVENUE
MINEOLA, NEW YORK 11501
516-571-3131
A MESSAGE FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE ED MANGANO
Our downtowns are vitally important to the economic health of Nassau County. These
centers of commerce, often built around Long Island Railroad train stations, and accessible to
other modes of transportation, help to make our communities walkable and sustainable.
Downtowns, like the Village of Westbury’s central business district, are places where we can
expand our tax base, get people out of their cars, create jobs for young people, and develop
housing for seniors and the next generation.
I am proud that, as County Executive, we have worked with local officials like Westbury
Mayor Peter Cavallaro, and local organizations like the Westbury B.I.D., to assist them in
making their redevelopment efforts impactful. Along these lines, Nassau County has
provided community development block grant (CDBG) funding to Westbury for
infrastructure improvements, traffic calming measures and other community enhancements.
These improvements will help Westbury attract new customers and residents, create new jobs
and improve the local Westbury economy. Innovative and creative programs like the B.I.D.’s
Tenant Incentive Program are designed to help maintain existing, and attract new, businesses
to our downtown areas. I support these efforts.
Westbury is a vibrant and diverse walkable community, offering fine dining, entertainment,
and cultural events. It will soon be the home of a new performing arts theater that will be the
first of its kind in Nassau County. Westbury’s downtown also offers a variety of housing
options, and ample on-street and off-street parking. For these and many other reasons,
CNNMoney.com has twice in the past four years named the Village of Westbury as one of the
top 20 places in the nation for young professionals to live. These are the kinds of
communities that we want and need here in Nassau County. I am proud of the County’s
participation in these efforts, and I am committed to continuing our efforts to enhance our
downtowns and support our local businesses.
Edward P. Mangano
Nassau County Executive
Come see why CNN
CNNMoney.com
Money.com named Westbury
one of the Best Places for the Rich and Single.
Our Mission
Vision joins with others to promote more liveable, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible growth on
Long Island through Smart Growth. Smart Growth focuses on infill, redevelopment and open space preservation. It
supports mixed-use, mixed-income communities that are convenient, attractive, pedestrian-friendly and make affordable
housing and public transportation desirable and realistic. A key objective is to strengthen communities from the start by
actively involving local stakeholders in planning.
Vision Long Island has worked in 19 communities on visionings, charrettes and the advancement of community projects
in: Hicksville, Riverhead, Huntington, Mastic/Shirley, Coram/Middle Island, Rocky Point, Farmingdale, Shoreham, Mt. Sinai, Bay Shore,
Gordon Heights, Central Islip, Kings Park, Yaphank, Mastic Beach, Southampton and Lake Ronkonkoma/West Farmingville.
Westbury’s Growth
Since the early 17th century, Westbury Village has been recognized for its sense of place, transit-oriented development
and diversity. By 1840, the Long Island Railroad had extended its service through Westbury and building boomed in the
neighboring area with schools, churches and other placemaking attributes. Shortly thereafter, Post Avenue became a
commerce center to serve the surrounding residents.
Today, the Village of Westbury continues to be a lively and diverse community. With over 14,000 residents and a thriving
downtown, Westbury is recognized as one of the most vibrant downtowns on Long Island.
Vision Long Island has honored the Village of Westbury for these projects
Bristal at Westbury by Engel Burman: The Bristal, a senior assisted living facility, is not only located within walking
distance of many daily needs, its ready access to transit facilities including the Long Island Rail Road furthers the freedom
and flexibility of its residents. This form of building offers a variety of transportation options, both walking and mass transit.
Smart Growth Revitalization Initiative by the Village of Westbury: The Village of Westbury was honored for their
efforts to mitigate auto use by creating an active, mixed use community in the downtown. Their work has gone far to
increase activity on ample available bus routes and at the local LIRR station. Importantly, intentional planning is also
serving to increase the daily tasks residents are able to accomplish on foot. Since 1999, the Village has worked to beautify and
improve its downtown through façade upgrades, decorative lighting, and many other details, along with additional housing units.
Westbury Theater project, Lowe Properties, LLC: For creating a sense of place, Lowe Properties, LLC was honored for
their Westbury Theater project. The revitalization of the historic theater will serve as an anchor for downtown Westbury,
helping to draw in new visitors and create a vibrant, walkable community. The Westbury Theater first opened in 1927 but
eventually shut its doors due to the rise of multiplex cinemas. Lowe Properties acquired the property in 2004 and decided
to restore the theater.
The Village of Westbury Business District is a Smart Growth Community
Location Westbury Village is centrally located in Nassau County with connections to both Suffolk and Queens Counties. Located
on Post Ave. in the midst of the Village of Westbury’s vibrant downtown, the business improvement district is supported by the
surrounding community’s 14,000 residents.
Transit-Oriented Development Transit-Oriented Development is essential to the growth of Long Island because it creates
multi-generational activity hubs. The Westbury business district is located near the Westbury LIRR station, on one of the Island’s
busiest lines and is also supported by bus routes. Commuters passing through offer year round business opportunities for the
downtown. Recent improvements have bolstered walkability in the downtown, allowing consumers to easily access local businesses.
With a number of municipal lots, residents are also able to park their cars and easily walk through the downtown, even during peak
shopping seasons.
Business Diversity The Village of Westbury’s diverse population has diverse needs. Businesses within the BID are just as diverse,
reducing mass duplication of services offered. Currently, the BID is working to provide incentives to attract businesses that are
currently underrepresented in the community.
High Occupancy The Village of Westbury is a busy downtown with few vacancies and a strong sense of community and
placemaking. Businesses and local residents have forged long-lasting relationships to support its growth.
“The Westbury Businesss Improvement District has a cross-section of the community pretty well represented with business
owners, residents, the village trustees and the mayor. What we found pretty impressive is that folks are managing main street,
both the village and the private sector, working hand in hand. We are impressed with the amount of housing development,
office space, after-hours retail and specialty restaurants moving in. The rental market is strong. Young people and aging baby
boomers are very strong for downtown living as we’re seeing them move into TOD housing that’s being approved.
Folks outside of downtowns want to be in communities like Westbury.”
- Eric Alexander, Executive Director, Vision Long Island.
Don’t Believe Us? Just Ask Them….
Café Ginos
237 Post Avenue
Donohue Cecere Funeral Home
290 Post Avenue
Sammy, the owner of Café Gino’s, came to the United
States in 1972. He settled in Westbury and is still here
today. Café Gino’s is a family business and Sammy finds
that he “draws a lot of business from
outside of the Westbury community, including
Jericho, Carle Place, Manhasset and Great Neck.”
He also “saw an increase in business during the BID
Dollars initiative, finding the community appreciates
the program.” Sammy said “the BID is doing an
awesome job of improving Westbury and keeping it
alive despite recent tough times”.
John Fitzpatrick, Managing Partner of Donohue Cecere
Funeral Home, which has been in Westbury since the
1920’s said “The Westbury BID has made great strides in
the revitalization of the Westbury Village downtown
business district. The work they have done, and continue
to do, benefits us and all of the businesses in our district.
Their beautification and sign grant programs
contribute to the charm of Post Ave., and the additional
sanitation and security they provide make
Westbury Village a great place to be.”
Maria’s Pastry Shop
167 Post Avenue
Joe Delucia has owned Maria’s Pastry Shop on Post Ave.
for 18 years and recently decided to move locations.
“When looking for a new shop, it was important to me to
try and stay within the BID district. The BID has great
programs designed to support local businesses and
property owners in so many different ways. The annual
street fair brings many new people to the district to see
how much we have to offer.” Joe goes on to say “I have
a wonderful customer base in this very diverse area,
with many people who have roots in the community
that date back many years as well as newcomers drawn
to the area for its great downtown, new affordable
housing and easy access to the city. Ultimately, I was
very happy to be able to still call Post Ave. home.”
Minuteman Press
172 Post Avenue
Robert Vogel, owner of Minuteman Press on Post Ave.
is very familiar with the newsletter that the Westbury
BID sends out bi-annually because his staff does the
design work and printing for the BID. “The BID
newsletter is great for businesses and residents alike.
It shines a spotlight on new and long standing
businesses and keeps residents informed of what’s
going on around town. It also announces programs
for business and property owners, such as the banner,
financial incentive, BID dollars and facade renovation
programs. And in addition to the newsletter, the BID
also produces a merchant guide. All of these mailings
promote our businesses to the residents at
absolutely no cost to us.”
Wheatley Hills Wine & Spirits
193 Post Avenue
Advantage Tennis
225 Post Avenue
Wheatley Hill’s owner Roseann says “The Westbury
BID is a great source of support to my business,
offering innovative, low cost (or free!) programs to
help boost sales. My favorite program is BID
Dollars, which is a great incentive for residents of
Westbury and Carle Place to shop here in Westbury
Village rather than the Old Country Road and Glen
Cove Road areas. I look forward to seeing the amount
of BID Dollar sales increase steadily each year. I am
also happy to include my business in the banners that
line Post Ave.. They’re a nice touch and keep
the area looking fresh.”
Adam Moramarco, owner of Advantage Tennis on
Post Ave. says “The programs initiated by the BID and
brought forward to the business owners in the district
have helped us in various ways. I was able to showcase
my business in a series of television commercials which
aired on several different cable channels for almost no
cost to me. The response was wonderful. I had my
storefront redone during the facade renovation
program and last year I had my facade repainted and
repaired, at no cost, through the facade spruce up
program. All of these and other BID programs keep
our downtown looking great while supporting
our local businesses.”
www.WestburyBID.org
516.333.2235