Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani would do well to remember the words of chef and humanitarian José Andrés: “We must build longer tables.”
Mayor Mamdani should build a long policy table—one that makes room for a diversity of perspectives as it relates to small businesses, and he should ensure that the hospitality industry has a seat to inform his restaurant and nightlife policy. In anticipation, we’ve prepared a menu of policy ideas to help him deliver on reforms to build a more supportive, affordable city for all—especially for the small businesses that form the backbone of our economy.
Streamline Permitting and Licensing: Cut delays, reduce paperwork, use technology, and lower costs for businesses trying to open or grow. It simply takes way too long to open a business in our city and too many hurdles pop up along the way.
Improve the Outdoor Dining Program: Allow winter enclosures, year-round roadway cafés, restore proven sidewalk café clearances, reduce fees, and simplify approvals.
End Excessive Fines and Unfair Taxes: Focus on education and compliance first. Provide cure periods for violations before levying fines. Permanently repeal the NYC-only Liquor License Surcharge and the Commercial Rent Tax on storefront businesses. The city must not treat small businesses as an ATM.
Establish a 24/7 Labor Law Help Line: Give small businesses access to legal guidance and “safe harbor” protections when following expert advice. Reform labor laws to be compliance-driven, not lawsuit-driven, by removing private rights of action that fuel costly litigation.
Reform Community Board and 311 Processes: Make the Community Board process more transparent and consistent with more members who represent the diversity of their communities and who will contribute a small business perspective. Ensure updated outdoor dining and dancing laws are fully recognized in the liquor licensing process to support vibrant, safe nightlife.
Don’t Micromanage Small Businesses: Stop passing well-intentioned but burdensome laws that make compliance nearly impossible and expose small businesses to fines and lawsuits. Have the courage to say no to over-regulation.
Remove Scaffolding: Put up less scaffolding, get it down faster, and make it look better. It blocks storefront visibility, hurts foot traffic, limits outdoor dining, and invites safety and quality-of-life issues.
Public Safety: Our customers and workers often travel late at night and interact directly with the public in restaurants, outdoor dining areas, and in nightlife. Their safety—and their sense of safety—is essential.
Support Tourism and Events: Tourism drives jobs and spending in our restaurants and nightlife venues. Invest in tourism and major events like the World Cup, which can bring new opportunities across all five boroughs.
When Hospitality Succeeds, New York City thrives.
With nearly 30,000 eating and drinking establishments employing over 300,000 people and generating billions in tax revenue, our industry is both the economic foundation and cultural heartbeat of New York City.
We’re encouraged by Mayor-elect Mamdani’s openness to collaboration and urge him to ensure hospitality has a permanent seat at his table to wisely inform policy. Together, we can build a stronger, fairer, more vibrant and affordable city—one where small business not only survive, but thrive.
Andrew Rigie is the Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, representing thousands of restaurants, bars, and nightlife venues across all five boroughs of New York City.
