Good afternoon.

I'm Catherine White, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, and we are thrilled to be here today in District One in downtown New Rochelle for the grand opening of Walsmark.

It's a very exciting opening for us.

In fact, this summer I would say this is the fourth business within this one block area that we have celebrated with a grand opening or a ribbon cutting.

So we're thrilled to see the improvement in New Rochelle.

Walsmark is actually also one of the recipients of New Rochelle's very innovative program, the Retail Tenant Improvement Fund.

And I'm sure you'll hear more about that as we progress during the ceremony today.

But we're again thrilled that the city is able to assist so many businesses opening and bringing so many new businesses and so many new entrepreneurs here to the city of New Rochelle.

With that, we've got a lot of people here to celebrate with us, so I'd like to just shout out a few names.

Of course, we have with us uh Mayor Yudira Ramos Herbert from District One, where we are, the council rep and the director of MWBE for Westchester County Government, Martha Lopez.

Director of Economic Development, Kevin Jimenez is here.

As is Mariana Husifai, who is the small business relations representative or manager rather, and Mariana Husafai, the small business relations manager for the city of New Rochelle.

Of course, as we're in the downtown, we have Anne Gold, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Downtown Bid here to celebrate.

Representing Terry Clements, we have Cameron Stanford.

She's the Westchester County legislator for the area.

Of course, none of this is possible without the business owner and his partners.

We have Ed Reese Altereb.

He's the business owner.

And we're supported by several members of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, including Jim Calorin from Fuller Center for Housing.

Yay.

Cody Gonzalez from the Master Barber Lounge, right down the block.

And we have Dave from Fast Signs who just joined us.

So now I'd like to bring up the mayor to say a few words of welcome.

Thank you, Catherine.

And as noted, it's been a really exciting time to sort of be right here in this part of New Rochelle.

Um, in addition to purchasing the Carnegie Library and making upgrades to protect that asset, Casa Roma, the Lincoln Park Conservancy, the Master Barber Shop, the Self Studio for Yoga, and I have been driving by this lovely establishment for the last few months, dying to get inside because it's gorgeous, and it's such a tremendously um a tremendous asset to our city.

It's a different but obviously very well needed kind of business, and so I'm so grateful that you chose New Rochelle.

I'm so grateful that you stuck with New Rochelle.

I'm so grateful for your partnership.

I think we will be better because of your feedback, but also the fact that you've opened here.

Um and and just really honestly, whatever we can do to make sure that you stay open, please let us know because we're so proud that you've chosen us and we want to make sure we do what we can to support you.

So congratulations.

Thank you, Mayor.

And now I'd like to call up Kevin Jimenez, Director of Economic Development for the City of New Rochelle.

Kevin.

Thank you, Kevin.

Um, I just want to echo a lot of what the mayor already mentioned.

Um, this place is a result of the city's investment in creating a more healthy retail environment.

And we just want to continue to support you.

I want we want to continue to support the downtown.

As you can see, like there's been so much revitalization revitalization that's taken place already in the downtown, and we just want to be a part of that.

That's the goal of downtown, and we I also appreciate you as well.

Um, Idris, just the feedback that you've given us.

That's gonna help us because as development we want to be innovators.

We don't want to just stay in one place and remain stagnant.

So we thank you for all the feedback and we welcome it.

We want to continue to promote the partnership with you.

So thank you again and appreciate your partnership.

Thank you, Kevin.

And now again, wearing two hats, Martha Lopez, the District One Council rep and the director of MWBE for Westchester County government.

Martha.

Thank you so much, thank you.

How exciting it is to see this beautiful, beautiful store.

It was like being in a toy store for me.

I'm like, I want that and I want that and I want that, and I'm gonna have to come and make an appointment.

But on behalf of the county executive who believes very much in minority and women owned businesses, we need you to register with us so that you can get contracts, you can learn about different contract opportunities, and also coming to the Rochelle, especially coming to this one makes me even prouder.

And we are here to assist in any way that we can.

Congratulations.

And you're gonna be seeing me here.

Maybe the business.