To the Editor:

My name is Brandon Gutierrez. I am the owner and operator of A Sneaker City, a small business located in the Crossgates Mall. I would like to express my great concern over not being able to open as part of the Phase 2 reopening plan outlined by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Over the past 11-plus weeks, our businesses have done everything that was asked of us by the government. We stayed home as directed for the safety of ourselves and everyone around us. We understand this is of the utmost importance, and we are willing to make any necessary accommodations  to ensure the safety of our staff and clientele.

Honestly, we can’t stay closed any longer; rents and insurance are due. Funding, if received — personally, I did not — was not geared toward helping anyone long-term.

I’d like to understand why Walmart and Lowe’s can remain open and will probably see double- or maybe triple-digit increases in profits while small businesses are closing every day because of the loss of revenue.

I strongly recommend that Governor Cuomo allow malls to reopen as part of Phase 2. There are plenty of examples of larger crowds and bigger stores that have been opened. We need to reopen so as to regain some sort of normalcy and for the survival of our businesses.

Thank you for your consideration on the very important matter.

Brandon Gutierrez

Owner/Operator

A Sneaker City

Crossgates Mall

Guilderland