Small businesses are the heart of New York City and as many of them struggled during the coronavirus pandemic, a local business improvement district is doing its part to help businesses stay afloat. 

Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement Director Tiera Mack says that as businesses are looking to make a post-pandemic comeback, investments are important now more than ever. 

"A lot of businesses are looking for people to come back into their business. If you're coming from being online or you're coming from doing stuff on Instagram, you want people in your business and you want to have something attractive for them to walk into,” said Mack. 

Terry Macc, a boutique in Brownsville that sells specialty clothing and accessories, is one of dozens of businesses on Pitkin Avenue that closed for months during the pandemic. 

Owner Terry Macc says that although she struggled to stay afloat, she found alternative ways to keep her business running--selling clothing online and even getting a grant last October for more than $5,000 from the Pitkin Avenue BID to revamp her storefront. 

"It helps a lot because -- it's already helping. When people stop by and they see my awning and they see the decor of the store it brings them inside the store, and when they come inside the store I have very beautiful pieces,” said Macc. 

The grant is part of the Pitkin Avenue Renaissance Program. It is an initiative that started in 2014 to renovate signage, awnings, gates and more as a way to invest in small businesses in the area. 

Tiera Mack says that as the Pitkin Avenue BID continues to help struggling businesses, they’re looking to plan more programs that will bring even more resources to the businesses in the future.