5 Small Manhattan Businesses That Survived the Pandemic and Revived New York

We've all been impacted by the pandemic in some way. Either we've tested positive for COVID-19, or we've had to watch our loved ones get sick. Some of us faced layoffs because of COVID-19's far-reaching impacts, or we had to see our own family members or friends deal with the effects of unemployment. But one particular group of people felt even more weight on their shoulders throughout this crisis: small business owners.

Small business owners have not only been under immense pressure to reimagine their operations and stay afloat for their employees and communities, they've also been at high risk of losing their businesses — the visions and dreams they've worked so hard to build. Some have lost their spaces as a result of the pandemic, but others have thrived in the face of adversity.

At Centennial Properties NY, we rent out properties to some of these very businesses in the Manhattan area. There are five businesses, all restaurants, that have managed to overcome these hardships and risk their savings to revive the city. We want to honor their commitment and contributions.

Soothr

We recently wrote about Soothr on our blog, you can check out the full piece here, but we wanted to highlight them here as well. Soothr opened up right before the pandemic and kept themselves afloat through all the hardships. But it wasn't easy. At one point, they weren't able to use their kitchen, so we were able to give them access to a vacant property so they could continue making food until the issue was resolved.

Taco Mahal

Everyone loves tacos, but at Taco Mahal, they combine the flavors of Latin American and India to create a new take on an old classic. They are a West Village staple, and NYC locals and visitors alike flock to their restaurant to taste their incredible food.

Blank Slate

Blank Slate is a cafe and coffee bar that's a neighborhood favorite. Their name is inspired by the creativity, ideation, and growth that comes from a 'blank slate.' There are no boundaries and limitless potential. This outlook is part of why they were able to beat the odds and keep their coffee bar up and running during the pandemic.

Village Square Pizza

Like Soothr, Village Square Pizza also opened their doors in the midst of the pandemic and they are still pushing out gourmet New York Pizza at their two locations in the East and West Village. They use the highest quality ingredients, and also offer the highest quality customer service to go along with it. And it shows.

Luthun

Luthun's chefs, Nahid Ahmed and Arjuna Bull, created the restaurant to offer progressive American cuisine to all who walk through their doors. They have been featured in newspapers throughout the pandemic, which is a notable achievement during such trying times. We speak for the entire community when we say how exciting it is to see these five restaurants, as well as many more, do so well in the midst of a global crisis. Just as they support their communities with great food and even better hospitality, the community has taken it upon themselves to return the favor and support them through a national crisis.