NYC Small Business Month Expo: May 28

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is hosting the NYC Small Business Month Expo next Thursday, May 28th from 9 am – 4 pm at 60 Pine Street.

During the Expo, small business owners of all stages, industries, and boroughs will be able to access free services from 100+ city programs, agencies, and partners. Register here.

Movers & Shakers: Sage Gu, Co-Founder of Dusty & Co. Ceramic

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month and Small Business Month, we recently had the opportunity to interview Sage Gu, Co-Founder of Dusty & Co. Ceramic, the community-driven pottery studio located at 40 West 27th Street, 5th Floor.

“Flatiron and NoMad sit at a genuine intersection — art, fashion, hospitality, wellness, design, technology, all in close proximity,” says Sage. “The people who walk through our door reflect that: artists, architects, engineers, singers, finance professionals, designers, students, people who have never touched clay before […] Being here pushed us beyond the idea of a traditional pottery studio. The neighborhood is curious and experimental — and that gave us permission to be the same.”

Final Days to View Dreamland Sirens by Charlotte Colbert

In partnership with NYC DOT Art, visit the Flatiron South Plaza through May 22nd to view the art installation Dreamland Sirens by multi-media artist and filmmaker Charlotte Colbert. The 30′ high steel sculpture curated by New Public is a part of Colbert’s first exhibition in New York City.

After seeing Dreamland Sirens, head to the Meatpacking District to view Colbert’s Where Angels Live, a 30′ reflective steel tree adorned with votive-like charms at 14th Street Square.

NYC DOT: Sixth Avenue Improvement Project Begins

We are pleased to share that the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun implementing the Sixth Avenue improvement project from 14th Street to 35th Street. The project includes shortened pedestrian crossings, a widened bike lane, intersection traffic calming, and expanded pedestrian space from 31st to 35th Street. Parking regulations along the corridor and cross streets will also be standardized to the following:

• 1 Hour or 3 Hour Metered Commercial Vehicles Only Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm or 8am-6pm, followed by 5 Hour/6 Hour Metered Parking Monday – Friday 7pm/8pm – Midnight, Saturday 8am – Midnight
• 1 Hour or 3 Hour Metered Parking Commercial Vehicles Only 7am-7pm except Sunday, followed by 5 Hour Metered Parking 7pm – Midnight except Sunday

Read the full press release.

Hotel Stays: World Cup Edition

With the World Cup approaching, make plans to book your hotel stays in Flatiron & NoMad! Several local hotels are offering special packages to celebrate the global sporting event. Check out our hotel guide for a full list of spots to choose from.

Highlights:

• Ace Hotel New York: Summer of Football 2026
• Hotel AKA NoMad: Golden Goal Getaway
• Moxy Chelsea: Summer of Soccer

nOmAD jAZZ fESTIVAL: eARLY bIRD Access to Jazz in the Clouds

Join the NoMad Jazz Festival for Jazz in the Clouds, a one-night-only benefit concert on Monday, June 8th from 6 – 8 PM at Nubeluz within the Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad.

Enjoy live performances by Grammy nominees Ravi Coltrane and Brandee Younger, with a special guest appearance by Grammy Award winner Samara Joy. While there, sip elevated cocktails, savor curated eats, and take in sweeping city views from the 50th floor.

As a valued newsletter subscriber, take advantage of exclusive access through early bird pricing to receive 25% off Rooftop Experience tickets! Use the promo code: NOMAD25 at checkout to redeem. All ticket proceeds support the NoMad Jazz Festival.

Now On View: “Alfarero del Barrio” by Roberto Lugo at Madison square park

Visit Madison Square Park Conservancy to see the latest exhibition, “Alfarero del Barrio” by Philadelphia-based artist Roberto Lugo.

On view through December 6th, Lugo will present two sculptures made from hand-painted milled foam, a twenty-foot-high urn recalling traditional ceramics and a fifteen-foot-high fire hydrant, in honor of the urban environment.

 NEIGHBORHOOD NEED-TO-KNOWS

Quick hits on community info, resources, & happenings

CB5 Parks Survey: Community Board 5 is looking for your feedback on how our local parks and plazas are used as well as how you feel about these public spaces. Please take a moment to fill out the survey.

Virtual Business Mentorship with Mastercard x NYC SBS: Mastercard is working with the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and WE NYC to provide operating NYC small businesses to apply for free, skills-based mentoring. Small business owners can receive expert advice in the areas of AI, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and digital payments. Register here.

Street Closures:

• Due to the de-installation of the art piece Dreamland Sirens on the Flatiron South Plaza, Broadway from 23rd to 22nd Street will be closed overnight from 10pm – 6am on Sunday, May 24th, Monday, May 25th, and Tuesday, May 26th.
• East 30th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue will be closed from 7am to 11am Saturday and Sunday through 5/25/26 for crane operations and is part of ongoing construction projects in the area.
• East 26th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue will be closed from 5am to 11:59am Saturday and Sunday through 5/31/26 for building inspection from a boom truck.
• West 20th Street between Sixth Avenue and Fifth Avenue will be closed from 7am to 11am Saturday and Sunday through 6/1/26 for crane operations and is part of ongoing construction projects in the area.

Con Edison Work Notices:

• Now – Friday, May 22nd, from 7am – 3:30pm, Con Edison will perform ECS support work and continue hand care excavations at the intersection of East 29th Street and Fifth Avenue.
• Now – July 31, Con Edison will be performing gas upgrade work on West 26th Street between Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue on weekdays from 9am – 4pm.

Neighborhood Guides

• Local Dining Guide: Area restaurants, bars, and cafes
• Happy Hour Roundup: Food & drink specials at hot spots and hidden gems
• Rooftop Roundup: Epic skyline views & cocktails at local rooftop bars
• New Neighbors: Newly opened businesses in Flatiron & NoMad