News 12 covers mayor’s executive order through lens of mom-and-pop retailer reactions
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s executive order requiring seven city agencies to catalog business fines received immediate backing from small business owners who have long suffered under the weight of regulatory penalties. Brown Butter Creamery owner Myriam Nicolas, speaking with News 12 Brooklyn, described her four-year struggle navigating the city’s fee landscape. “The fees are astronomical,” Nicolas told reporters. “It’s not like small amounts of fees, and some of those fees weren’t even for anything major. Any small violation was associated with some type of fee. And then on top of the fee, sometimes there’s penalties.” Nicolas estimated that health inspections, fire safety compliance, and other city mandates have created cascading cost burdens that threaten business viability.
Regulatory Burden on Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Industry leaders emphasize that fee burdens disproportionately impact immigrant entrepreneurs and family-owned operations that cannot afford dedicated compliance staff. Brods, owner of Wadadli Jerk restaurant in Brooklyn, called for equitable fee structures that account for business revenue and storefront size. “There should be a cap based on the revenue,” Brods said during his interview with News 12. “If you’re making $500,000 a year, should your fees be the same as someone that’s making $10 million a year? If you have a 100-square-foot space, should you be paying the same as someone who has 500 square feet?” His questions reflect long-standing criticisms that the city’s regulatory system treats all businesses identically regardless of scale or profitability.
Skepticism About Follow-Through
While business owners welcomed the announcement, several expressed cautious optimism about whether Mamdani’s initiative will produce measurable results. Nicolas stated that previous administrations have made similar promises without translating them into real relief. Brods noted, “Small businesses are the backbone of the community. It’s important to make sure we continue to thrive.” Mamdani responded to skepticism by emphasizing urgency. “What will make this different is that this is not an additional concern of ours,” he stated at a press conference. “Rather, it is a central concern of our City Hall in that we want to make it easier not just to open the doors of a small business, but also to keep them open.” For small business resources and regulatory compliance guidance, visit the Small Business Administration and NYC Department of Small Business Services.
