Along the Course, Small Businesses Bounce Back with Support From Mastercard
The TCS New York City Marathon is a celebration of New York City, with a 26.2-mile course winding through the diverse neighborhoods of the five boroughs—neighborhoods that are home to hundreds of vibrant small businesses.
Though the pandemic has taken a toll on the small businesses of NYC, the resilience of New Yorkers has brought them back stronger than ever.
In celebration of that resilience and the 50th running of the TCS New York City Marathon this year, NYRR partner Mastercard is showcasing three business owners who personify NYC’s spirit with the "50 Years and Running" campaign.
Running a small business is, in many ways, just like running a marathon, and just like all the support along the route, Mastercard wants to help keep them going.
In collaboration with documentary filmmaker and small business champion Nick Heller—otherwise known as @newyorknico—Mastercard is celebrating the businesses that have powered NYC over the past 50 years. Leveraging the full scope of its business, technology, and network of partners and cardholders, Mastercard will provide the featured small businesses with a Digital Doors™ toolkit comprised of exclusive offerings and resources to help maximize their digital presence, protect their online operations, and succeed in the new normal. Marathon participants and attendees can support the small businesses at booth 202 at the TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance.
Dawn Harris-Martin
Owner, Grandma’s Place, Harlem
In her Harlem community, Dawn Harris-Martin is known as Grandma Dawn. At age 81, she’s been the owner of Grandma’s Place children’s toy and bookstore for over two decades.
A retired educator with a lifelong mission to support children, Grandma Dawn opened Grandma’s Place in 1999 as a child literacy center. In recent years the business has evolved to focus on selling toys, games, and books for children and families of all backgrounds that are fun, open-ended, and promote collaborative play and learning.
The pandemic hit Grandma’s Place hard. Grandma Dawn had to close the store from March to August 2020 and ran up $17,000 in unpaid rent and other expenses. A GoFundMe campaign raised enough to cover the debts and bring Grandma Dawn closer to her dream of opening a bookmobile for Harlem’s underserved children.
Amaurys Grullon
Owner, Bronx Native, The Bronx
Born and raised in New York City, Amaurys Grullon, 29, studied photography and graphic design at Bronx Community College and is currently pursuing film studies at The School of Visual Arts. In 2016 he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he and his sister launched Bronx Native, a company that focuses on highlighting the Bronx through art, media, apparel, and events.
“I heard negative things about my home, my people, my borough and I was not having it,” said Amaurys. “I said, ‘What can I do to change the narrative, to change the stigma, and to change people’s perspectives on the Bronx?’”
Bronx Native apparel—shirt, hats, and other gear—serve to showcase issues of poverty and health concerns and to promote community pride and empowerment. The company’s two locations pay homage to the borough’s creativity by highlighting local artists and providing a cultural hub for creators, artists, and entrepreneurs.
David Yoo
Owner, Davey’s Ice Cream, Manhattan and Brooklyn
David Yoo began his career in NYC high-fashion advertising, and though he worked with clients such as Madonna and Versace, he yearned for other creative outlets. Over time he developed a plan to open an ice cream shop. He enrolled in Penn State’s Ice Cream Short Course, where he learned the science and technology of making ice cream.
David opened Davey’s Ice Cream in 2013 with a focus on locally sourced quality ingredients. This focus supports other local businesses and results in delicious, high-end products. The business has survived—and thrived—through the pandemic thanks in part to its ability to pivot to online sales. “Digital has had a huge positive impact on business,” he said.
With locations in Manhattan’s East Village and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, David continues to diversify his flavors to accommodate customers of all ages and backgrounds.
