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Retail in NYC gets option of outdoor shopping

Retail stores will be allowed to peddle their wares outdoors, in a program announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio Wednesday to help small businesses weather the coronavirus crisis.

Impact: The new Open Storefronts program — modeled on the city's popular outdoor dining initiative — will allow 40,000 businesses to set up open air operations, in hopes of drawing in shoppers who wary of browsing indoors and creating more space for merchandise while complying with social distancing requirements.

“We’ve seen so many small businesses struggling to survive,” de Blasio said at a press briefing. “It’s hard to do if you have a small space, and the restrictions in place. Let’s liberate the outdoor space for them as well, and help these small businesses to continue.”

Businesses can use five feet of space on the sidewalk in front of their stores, and must leave eight feet clear for pedestrians to pass.

Shops on the same street can also join together and ask the city to close their block to traffic so they can set up in the street. Stores on existing open streets used by restaurants can use that space.

But unlike the outdoor dining, retail stores cannot take over parking spaces.

What's next: De Blasio signed an executive order Wednesday to create the program, which will start Friday and go at least through Dec. 31. Shops can use outdoor space after filling out an online application.

The city is hoping the outdoor stores will boost business during the holiday season, which many shops rely on for 70 percent of their sales.

“The holidays are coming — a great opportunity to patronize your local businesses. Look everyone, we all appreciate there’s wonderful stuff available online, but let’s really double down on our local businesses here in this city. Let’s give them the business they need to survive,” de Blasio said. “This is going to be the toughest year for small businesses. This holiday season is something they really need.”