Collaboration takes center stage at KRVC Merchant Meeting

On Feb. 8, dozens of business owners and community leaders gathered for a collaborative merchant meeting hosted by the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corp, or KRVC.

At the heart of KRVC’s initiative was an effort strengthen communication between local businesses and city agencies, offering an opportunity to address challenges facing Greater Riverdale’s commercial corridors.
“Small businesses are the heart and soul of the Riverdale and Kingsbridge communities; they are the vital lifeline serving our neighbors day in and day out,” said Laura Levine-Pinedo, executive director of KRVC. “This event was a fantastic opportunity to connect our local entrepreneurs with essential resources and industry leaders.”

David Coreas of NYC Small Business Services and New York City Nightlife Mayor Jeff Garcia were among those representing the city. Officers from the NYPD 50th Precinct, including Captain Oktrova and Detective Rasha Jamsheer, also attended, giving merchants an opportunity to raise safety concerns.

Levine-Pinedo said the meeting created space for direct, constructive dialogue between business owners and the NYPD, calling it a critical step toward keeping neighborhood corridors safe and vibrant.

The evening concluded with an open question-and-answer session and networking, as merchants exchanged ideas and explored opportunities for collaboration. Levine-Pinedo noted the strong turnout reflected growing interest in collective problem-solving and sustained engagement to support small businesses across the Northwest Bronx.