On a sunny day in October, David Herskovits of Target Margin and David Estrada of Sunset Park BID sat down six feet apart in front of the yellow roll gate of The Doxsee Theater to discuss how the pandemic has affected small businesses and small theater companies.

Sunset Park BID is one of Target Margin’s community partners for MAGIC IN PLAIN SIGHT, a performance event that is happening this month at The Doxsee and other locations in Sunset Park. The theme of the production is “connection” or “touch”, especially in this time of social distancing. As they reflected on their challenges during the pandemic, Estrada mused, “It’s bigger than I can take in all at once, so I try to focus on just the little good things to do.”

Herskovits agreed, saying how the idea of “little good things to do” is something that he aspires to. Reflecting on the similarities between theater and small businesses, he remarked, “It’s always such a struggle. It’s a labor of passion and love. And now we need to adapt.”
During the pandemic, Target Margin extended their definition of theater to meaningful actions that would create community and bring people together. Herskovits and Target Margin Associate Artistic Director Moe Yousuf personally delivered 200 face masks by bicycle throughout the city in a performative gesture called “We Will Care For You.” Target Margin also hosted South Brooklyn Mutual Aid, turning The Doxsee into a distribution center delivering groceries and care packages to more than 400 local families in need.

“At this moment, we have to embrace the reality and stop, slow down, reflect,” Herskovits stated. “It’s a time of change,” Estrada agreed, “Maybe not change you desire, but there are opportunities inside of it.” He mentioned the unexpected boon of Sunset Park BID being able to close down Fifth Avenue on the weekends for Open Streets. “Who would’ve thought we would have dining on the streets?” he asked. “Or theater on the streets!” Herskovits chimed in.

While Estrada notes that several small businesses are struggling, he also mentions that some are forging new connections with their neighbors in this moment and taking the uncertainties in stride. A few businesses like El Rey del Pescado have even opened during the pandemic. “If we’ve all learned anything, the store clerk is essential to my life,” Estrada observed, “And we have not appreciated them or rewarded them. That’s a lesson. Thank you, pandemic.”