Opening a Business in LIC
Opening Support for Retail in Long Island City
Whether you’re opening a storefront, securing a tenant, or brokering a lease, the Long Island City Partnership (LICP) and LIC Business Improvement District (LIC BID) are here to help. We collaborate with retailers, property owners, and brokers to ensure businesses get off to a strong start—and that the broader LIC community continues to thrive
Retailers
Opening in LIC? We’re here to help.
Getting a business off the ground in New York City can be overwhelming. That’s why LICP and LIC BID offer hands-on support to help you navigate the opening process—from permitting and licensing to marketing and local partnerships.
Through our Small Business Services (SBS)-supported program, we offer free one-on-one assistance to all businesses in our catchment area. Some services, like marketing and promotional exposure, are available to current LICP and LIC BID members. The sooner you reach out, the more we can assist.
Support includes:
- Individual advisement on your opening timeline, permitting, utilities, inspections, and compliance (DOB, FDNY, DOHMH, Con Edison, etc.)
- Liaison support with SBS, including help accessing:
- Legal assistance
- MWBE certification
- Loans and grants
- NYC training and voucher programs
- Referrals to neighborhood vendors and relevant city agencies
- Advisement on ribbon cuttings (available on a case-by-case basis)
- Potential inclusion in seasonal programs like LICPerks or our LIC Gift Card, depending on timing and alignment
- Promotion through our website, newsletter, and social media (available to current members only)
- Access to our annual street pole banner sponsorship program
- For current members, early access to our Member Portal, allowing you to connect with other local businesses even before opening
Recommended Timeline:
- 8–12 Weeks Before Opening
- Reach out to schedule an onboarding call
- Begin DOB/FDNY permitting and contact utilities (e.g., Con Edison)
- If applicable, we may be able to help expedite select city agency processes—though not guaranteed, this can be critical for small businesses
- Start exploring available SBS programs and MWBE/legal assistance resources
- 4–6 Weeks Before Opening
- Submit early marketing assets (photos, business story, ownership highlights) for long-lead press pitching
- Discuss potential participation in LICPerks (seasonal, case by case) or other community-facing programs
- For members, begin listing your business in the Member Portal and local directories
- 2–3 Weeks Before Opening
- Confirm your official open date
- Send updated marketing and visuals for short-lead press opportunities
- Finalize any public-facing events or ribbon cutting plans (if applicable)
Information to Share:
High-quality images of storefront, interior, and key offerings (as available)
Business name, address, contact info, store hours, social media links
Owner/operator bios or unique story
Description of products/services
Retailers
Long Island City Businesses: We’re here to help you get set up – don’t lose time or money to delays we may be able to help you avoid.
Contact Richard Portilla, Manager, Business Assistance, at [email protected] to learn more.
Property Owners
Bring in tenants who are supported from day one.
LICP and LIC BID work closely with property owners to ensure incoming retailers are set up for success. Early coordination helps tenants integrate into the neighborhood and avoid unnecessary delays.
Support includes:
- Early advisement on tenant timelines and permitting logistics
- Coordination with city agencies like DOB, FDNY, and utilities (e.g., Con Edison)
- Onboarding introductions between your tenant and LICP/LIC BID
- Referral to SBS services, business legal support, and licensing assistance
- Promotion via LIC channels (for members), and participation in neighborhood programming (case-by-case)
- Optional advisement on ribbon cuttings or grand opening announcements
Note that this does not mean LICP can fully plan and execute a ribbon cutting on your behalf, but we may be able to offer promotional support and share recommendations to help make your event a success.
Recommended Timeline:
- 8–12 Weeks Before Move-In
- Let us know about the incoming tenant so we can coordinate support
- We may be able to flag potential permitting issues or fast-track key connections
- 4–6 Weeks Before Move-In
- Introduce tenant to our team for onboarding
- Encourage participation in the Member Portal and other neighborhood networks (if a member)
- 2–3 Weeks Before Move-In
- Confirm move-in date, public opening plans, and any promotional coordination
Helpful Information to Share:
Press materials, images, or owner background
Business name, type, and contact details
Summary of offerings and tenant goals
Brokers
Deliver added value to your clients—before they open.
Brokers play a vital role in shaping Long Island City’s commercial landscape. Once a lease is signed, our team can step in to help your clients navigate the complicated process of launching in NYC.
Support includes:
- Onboarding meeting with tenant to introduce LICP and LIC BID services
- Early advisement on permit and inspection timelines
- Help identifying potential delays or roadblocks with city agencies
- Access to neighborhood insights, SBS programs, and community partnerships
- Optional promotional exposure (for members only) and inclusion in local business directories
When to Reach Out:
- Once Lease is Signed
- Connect us with your client to begin the onboarding process
- Leading Up to Opening
- Stay in touch to help coordinate public-facing openings, press mentions, or SBS referrals
Helpful Information to Share:
Any public-facing plans or story angles
Tenant’s name, business type, and contact details
Lease start and projected opening timeline