TAMA Sundays Wins Alfresco Award!

August 10, 2021

On Monday, August 9th, 2021, Tompkins Avenue Merchants Association (TAMA), was nominated and selected for recognition for the Alfrescos - a new award to celebrate street life by honoring exceptional Open Restaurants and Open Streets around New York City.

This award is hosted by Alfresco NYC, a coalition of three urban planning, design, and complete street nonprofits: Design Trust for Public Space, Regional Plan Association, and Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

The Alfrescos competition received over 150 nominations across all boroughs and TAMA was selected as an Open Street winner by a diverse jury. The Alfrescos’ panel integrates fourteen jury members with expertise ranging from transportation and planning to food journalism and advocacy.

TAMA, in partnership with Bridge Street Development Corporation, has been coordinating with small businesses, vendors, and community members to enhance business and foot traffic on the Tompkins Avenue Open Street from Gates Avenue to Halsey Street. This collaborative effort, commonly referred to as “TAMA Sundays”, has made a significant contribution to long-going economic development efforts by offering merchants and small business owners the opportunity to promote their businesses in a diverse commercial setting they otherwise may not have had.

Thanks to TAMA Sundays, Tompkins Avenue has received substantial commercial revitalization due to the increased foot traffic driven by the presence of DJs, delicious food, fun activities, and trendy retailers on the corridor. Every Sunday you can find new vendors, activities, and musical playlists that are sure to suit your tastes. Local precincts staff officers to ensure safe social distancing in compliance with current city and state COVID-19 guidelines. For more information, please visit www.tamabedstuy.com

If you are looking for a new and exciting way to spend your Sunday afternoons, you are welcome to come to Tompkins Avenue between Gates Ave and Halsey St to find out for yourself why TAMA’s Open Streets received the high honor of being one of the inaugural recipients of the Alfresco Awards.

To learn more about the Alfresco awards, here are a few articles covering the event as well as the official press release from Regional Plan Association: Time Out, CBS News, Press Release

"The winners all provide real guideposts for how outdoor dining and open streets can be implemented at their very best."

-Tom Wright, President, Regional Plan Association