Ray Romano (wikimedia commons)
Aug. 13, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Forest Hills native Ray Romano and the Queens Chamber of Commerce released a video today that pays tribute to local business owners and their employees who have served the borough throughout the pandemic.
Romano narrates the video that recognizes the extraordinary efforts made by essential workers, frontline heroes and business owners throughout Queens.
The “Everybody Loves Raymond” star encouraged Queens residents to support their local shops and restaurants.
“No matter where you are — Sunnyside, Astoria, my hometown Forest Hills, Jamaica, the Rockaways, let’s do what we all do best, what I know Queens does the best, and that’s support each other,” he said.
The video titled “Queens Stands Strong Together” was produced by Queens-native Emma Leavy.
It features a number of local businesses including Bourbon Street in Bayside, Kimmy Ma Art Studio in Fresh Meadows, Great Bear Auto in Flushing, Martha’s Bakery in Bayside, Laundry Stop in Queens Village, Patel Brothers Supermarket in Jackson Heights, and New Golden Wine & Liquor in Bayside.
“The last few months have been incredibly difficult for Queens, but we got through it because Queens doesn’t quit,” said Thomas J. Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the frontline heroes, essential workers and small businesses who continued to serve Queens residents in the face of this unprecedented pandemic.”
To coincide with the video’s release, the Queens Chamber of Commerce also announced several new initiatives to support existing businesses in the borough and to attract new ones to come to Queens.
The chamber introduced new member benefits, a day care program for working parents, multimedia marketing help for restaurants, volunteer and mentor programs for local businesses and more.
The chamber also announced new initiatives to attract manufacturing and tech companies to Queens and connect recent Queens colleges graduates to small businesses in the borough.
“Now it’s time to get back to work, and we are excited to announce these new initiatives to help our local businesses rebuild our economy stronger than ever before,” Grech said.
More information about the new initiatives can be found on the Queens Chamber of Commerce website.
