This morning, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski stood with Rockland County Legislator Lon Hofstein, Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and Alice Lenna, Owner of New City Bowl & Batting Cages to push for the safe reopening of bowling alleys.

In May, the State released the NY Forward plan that opened New York in industry phases by for a safe restart of the economy. The plan has been an effective process, keeping New York State’s infection rate from skyrocketing amid more activity. Per the released guidance, recreation facilities such as bowling alleys were slated to open under phase four, the last and final step of the plan. At the end of June, prior to the Mid-Hudson Region entering phase four, the Governor announced that these industries would no longer be permitted to open.

Following the announcement that bowling alleys and other recreation facilities would not be permitted to open, Assemblyman Zebrowski wrote a letter with several of his Assembly colleagues to the Governor. The Assemblyman requested that a timeline be put in place for when these industries could open, as well as allowing business owners the opportunity to submit their own reopening plans to the State or Regional Control rooms that monitor the reopening efforts. Many of these industries have gone ahead and developed plans detailing how they can reopen in a way that protects employees and customers, similar to efforts other industries are following. The Assemblyman has continued to advocate for bowling alleys and other industries, pushing for their safe reopening.

For over a month, small business owners have been left in the dark with no timeline of when they will be allowed to reopen, or even an explanation as to why their industries must remain closed with nearly the entire State operating. While small businesses across the State have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, these industries have been dealt another huge financial blow. With no definitive plan for reopening, each day becomes more difficult for these businesses to remain viable.

“Trying to navigate and reopen the economy amid a global pandemic is unchartered territory. The decision on what to open and when is a delicate balance, with public safety as the priority. That said, these small businesses owners deserve answers. This indefinite timeline will only continue to devastate industries like bowling alleys, causing significant financial, operational, and emotional stress. Business owners like Alice Lenna have proven how they can reopen safely like virtually every other area of the State. It’s time that a plan is put in place to allow our neighbors to build back their businesses and join the rest of New York in reopening,” said Assemblyman Zebrowski.

“In order for the economy of Rockland County to fully recover, New York State must allow the entertainment establishments like New City Bowl & Batting Cages to reopen in a safe and responsible manner,” said Legislator Hofstein.

"COVID-19 has provided a number of challenges to small business owners throughout the pandemic, especially for those like Alice who have been forced to continue to patiently wait to reopen safely. The state's silence in answering her basic question is adding insult to injury. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and it's unfair to continue to place people's livelihood in limbo any longer,” said Supervisor Hoehmann.

“The Bowling Industry in NY is made up of 100's of small business owners and 1000's of employees that are on the brink of fiscal collapse. Bowling Center Owners are your neighbors, your friends and are Great Community Leaders. We understand the issues before us and created a comprehensive reopening plan that follows all CDC and Department of Health Guidelines which was delivered to Our Governor in June and we haven't received any feedback. Our plea is for our Governor to partner with us for a safe reopening,” concluded Alice Lenna, Owner of New City Bowl.