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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 24, 2023 | The Indian Eye 24

Mayor Adams appoints Jeffrey Garcia as Office of Nightlife

Executive Director, Signs Bills to Bolster Nightlife Industry

Legislation and Executive Order Establish Moves Office of Nightlife Under Department of

Small Business Services to Better Connect Nightlife Establishments to Business Resources

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY
ew York City Mayor Eric
Adams today announced the
Nappointment of hospitality in-
dustry veteran Jeffrey Garcia to lead
the Office of Nightlife (ONL) in its
new home at the New York City De-
partment of Small Business Services
(SBS). Joined by SBS Commission-
er Kevin D. Kim and business lead-
ers, Mayor Adams also announced
actions to support small businesses
through his “Small Business For-
ward” initiative, better connect night-
life establishments to SBS resources,
and reduce financial burdens on local
businesses. These steps come as part
of Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s
Tour,” continuing to create jobs and across New York as an advocacy lead-
power New York City’s economic re- er. I am looking forward to this transi-
covery after the city set an recovered tion to SBS, as ONL grows to provide
all of the nearly 1 million jobs lost more resources to support the night-
during the COVID-19 pandemic. life industry across New York City.”
Finally, Mayor Adams signed Jeffrey Garcia has been an entre-
three pieces of legislation — Intro preneur and business owner in Wash-
687-A, Intro. 845-A, and Intro. 1083- ington Heights and Kingsbridge for
A that implement dozens of regula- decades. A retired New York City Po-
tory reforms to help New York City’s lice Department (NYPD) first grade
small businesses, move ONL under detective of the Organized Crime
SBS, and provide New Yorkers with Control Bureau, Garcia previously
more information to make healthy served as president of the New York
food choices. State Latino Restaurant, Bar, and
“From the dance venues of Lounge Association, working to bring
Brooklyn to the Latin clubs of Queens equity and inclusion to the industry
and everything in between, nightlife and working through the challenges
has always been part of what makes of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also
New York City so vibrant and unique. served on the New York City Small
Today, we are taking steps not only Business Advisory Council. As an ac-
to bolster the businesses that make the strong leadership needed to uplift the ‘City of Yes’ for small business.” complished entrepreneur, Garcia has
nightlife special, but also to usher in a nightlife businesses across the city.” “As the son of a single mom from additionally served as a board mem-
new chapter in our efforts to support “New York’s 25,000 nightlife and the Dominican Republic, born and ber at the New York City Hospitality
the industry,” said Mayor Adams. “By hospitality establishments are more raised in Washington Heights, I am Alliance and helped found the Latino
transferring the Office of Nightlife than just engines of economic growth grateful to Mayor Adams and Com- Cannabis Association.
to SBS and cutting red tape for the — they are part of the fabric that missioner Kim for entrusting me with “I am so proud that the import-
nightlife industry, this legislation will makes up the city,” said SBS Commis- this opportunity to serve my city as ant work of the Office of Nightlife is
make sure that nightlife establish- sioner Kim. “At SBS, ONL will be able executive director of ONL. This is my continuing under new leadership with
ments get the resources they need to to help bars and restaurants across dream job,” said ONL Executive Di- Jeffrey Garcia,” said ONL Founding
thrive and help our economy grow to New York City grow and expand rector Garcia. “My family knew strug- Director Ariel Palitz. “His love for our
new heights. With the appointment while also fostering positive relation- gle, but we had a strong foundation of city, experience in representing this in-
of Jeffrey Garcia — an experienced ships in their respective communities. hard work and service, which I brought dustry and commitment to serving the
entrepreneur and hospitality veteran All of us at SBS are excited to work with me as I rose through the ranks at community are exactly what is needed
who has long advocated for minori- with Executive Director Jeffrey Gar- the NYPD, opened my own hospital- to ensure that there is always someone
ty-owned businesses — we are also en- cia and his team in our shared mission ity businesses, and went on to elevate there to protect and care for our es-
suring that the Office of Nightlife has of lifting up New Yorkers and building minority-owned bars and restaurants sential NYC nightlife.”

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