‘Dear Customers’: These Are the Emotional Store Signs of a Closed New York

Surfacing

From newly darkened storefronts, businesses offered a few last words of empathy, resolve and humor.

April 4, 2020

All along the empty streets of Manhattan, the messages reach out from the newly darkened storefronts. The notes express empathy, resolve, concern, even humor — a reflection of New York’s spirit.

Last month, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered all nonessential businesses in New York to close for the foreseeable future to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Forced to put their operations on hold — or adjust to doing only pick up and delivery service — many storefronts had a message for their customers.

Here are some of those voices in waiting.

Surfacing is a bi-weekly column that explores the intersection of art and life, produced by Alicia DeSantis, Jolie Ruben and Josephine Sedgwick.