By Dryden Quigley, BXV FOR BXV Intern

Jul. 22, 2020: Restaurants spilling out onto the street, contactless shopping, cement barricades; these are all the new normal as Bronxville adapts to life during COVID-19. As small businesses begin reopening at 50% capacity, residents start returning to town, but many still wonder, how can we help?

The Village of Bronxville, the Chamber of Commerce, and a growing network of engaged residents had the same question, so they joined together to start the BXV FOR BXV initiative. 

The initiative launched by granting sixteen $5,000 loans with close to zero percent interest rates to small Bronxville businesses.

Today the campaign has shifted to a grassroots effort called StrongerTogether, spreading the word through email chains, social media, stands around town, and merchandise.

StrongerTogether encourages residents to donate whatever they can to help keep downtown Bronxville vibrant. Mayor Marvin encourages those who can to donate, “Everyone’s help is wanted, welcome, and important.” Click here to donate.

The funds raised will all go directly to small businesses, providing some relief for new expenses such as outdoor umbrellas, tents, and sanitation stations.

The initiative has successfully partnered with establishments around Bronxville, including NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital, Bronxville Rotary Club, Bronxville Women’s Club, and Bronxville Beautification Council. Other friends that have joined include Gramatan Village, Senior Citizens Council, and Bronxville Senior Citizens.

According to Nicki Coddington, BXV FOR BXV head of marketing and communications, the initiative is instituting a second round of low interest loans. There have been so many villagers who have been beyond generous that new, more substantial loans will be coming in the next few weeks.

“This is able to happen because of the willingness of every group to say we want to lend a hand, just show us how,” said Mayor Marvin, speaking of the initiative’s success.

Outside of the BXV FOR BXV campaign, The Village of Bronxville encourages business owners to be creative in their efforts to reopen and is willing to help. For example, the Department of Public Works donated, installed, and painted the cement barricades around the village to protect restaurant-goers. 

The Police Department was innovative in developing its own delivery system of food and medication to any senior or immunocompromised resident who needed it. 

Restaurant owners had the idea of using outdoor space in front of their buildings, including the metered spots and sidewalk space. The village immediately facilitated this, provided that the merchant and its neighbors agreed. Mayor Marvin said, “We’ve had absolutely no problems. It’s really been a partnership [between businesses]...they’re all friends with each other.” 

Bronxville Chamber of Commerce has worked tirelessly to assist Bronxville businesses during the pandemic and continues to provide information and support whenever and however possible.

President Leah Caro and Executive Director Shannon Hurley-Gangemi can be seen around the village, talking with merchants and providing pertinent and vital information.

The Chamber of Commerce website has become a key resource for the entire community by providing up to date merchant and restaurant information. The website serves as an invaluable resource to merchants, providing valuable information on its newly added “Merchant Resource” page.

The Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Bronxville Parent Teacher Association in the #StrongerTogether program selling 400 tote bags that included a $25 gift card redeemable at any Bronxville merchant.

This drove residents to support Bronxville merchants. In her weekly call, Mayor Marvin encouraged residents to buy gift cards to local restaurants for first responders, including the Bronxville Police and New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital staff. Thousands of residents purchased them, giving restaurants a needed revenue during the quarantine.

NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital also makes it possible for the Chamber of Commerce to hand out six-foot spacing circles to any local merchant that wants them for social distancing marks. This allows for store goers to guarantee six feet of safe social distance.

There have been many heroic and heartfelt efforts in Bronxville over the last four months and many partnerships between local establishments and people including local government, police and village workers, local support organizations, healthcare and emergency professionals, schools and places of worship, caring residents and their children, and local merchants.  We are not only doing this for ourselves but to help others.

If you want to learn more and stay up to date on the initiative, you can subscribe to the Chamber email list on their website.

For information regarding reopening, please visit the Bronxville Village Hall website.

Photo courtesy BXV for BXV Initiative

Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.