Beach 116th Kicks Off Summer

 Beach 116th Kicks Off Summer

By Katie McFadden

The Beach 116th Street Summer Kickoff set the tone for what’s to come to the commercial block. With the beach finally opening to access after four years, new businesses to come and a team of merchants who want to see the best for the block, summer is going to be hot on Beach 116th Street.

The summer kickoff on Sunday, June 1 was a day for the community to come together, visit the stores on the block and support local vendors. The event was made possible by Councilwoman Joann Ariola, the Beach 116th Street Merchants Association led by Rob Pisani of Bagel & Barista Station, Michael McMahon of Rogers, Michael Fiore of The Meat Up Grill and Crustinos and Matt Mazzone of Mazzone Ace Hardware, and the Rockaway Civic Association.

The center of the block was closed off to traffic and the street was filled with vendors selling everything from food to crafts, clothing, art and more, and even young entrepreneurs got a spotlight with several children selling things from baked goods to crocheted pieces to jewelry and more. With the help of DJ Mikey Blingz, Rob Pisani kept the music going all afternoon as everyone enjoyed all that the event had to offer.

“Beach 116th isn’t just a street, it’s the beating heart of this community,” Councilwoman Ariola said. “When the small businesses thrive here, the whole neighborhood thrives. This summer kick-off helps these business to get a jumpstart into the season, and gives newcomers a chance to see what makes this block so special so they’ll want to keep coming back again and again.”

During the event, Councilwoman Ariola acknowledged the hard work of the Merchants Association and celebrated all good things including the efforts to keep the street cleaner, the dedicated NYPD foot patrol on the block, the opening of the beach after years of the Army Corps using it as a staging area, and Pisani’s upcoming effort to fill the long-vacant storefront where Fashion Wave was. In turn, McMahon sang Ariola’s praises for all she’s done for the block.

After the event, Pisani said, “Huge thanks to the incredible Rockaway community who showed up and made this event such a success!

Mark your calendars for the Beach 116th Street Fall Festival, which will be held on Sunday, October 5.

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