When the Covid-19 pandemic took root one year ago, Andrew Abatemarco was a partner in Diana Gould Floral & Event Design, an Elmsford-based company specializing in room decor for weddings, corporate events, bar and bat mitzvahs and special occasions.
“I ran logistics, operations and trucking for the business,” Abatemarco said. “We were in the event business, so we knew how to get in and out of venues. And when I say venues, I mean the Pierre Hotel and the St. Regis in New York City and the Abigail Kirsch properties.”
The pandemic effectively shut down this business, although Abatemarco did receive a business inquiry that he wasn”™t expecting.
“During Covid, my brother had asked me, ”˜Hey, Andrew, could one of your guys come over and help me move some furniture from outside to inside? And can you help me move my space heaters?”™”
Abatemarco had no problem with his brother”™s request, but then one his employees also wanted to use one of the company”™s trucks to facilitate a move from New York City to Westchester. With no prompting on his part, Abatemarco”™s phone began to ring with a growing number of calls seeking the use of the company truck, often with inquiries on whether the now-inactive staff could help with moving.
“You know the word ”˜pivot”™ that everybody seems to be using?” he asked. “Because of Covid, we were locked out except for maybe doing a few things here and there, like small house parties, and some of the staff were furloughed. Moving is very easy for our staff ”” if I can pack a centerpiece for somebody”™s bar or bat mitzvah, my guys can certainly pack boxes and pictures.”
With Diana Gould Floral & Event Design on a Covid-fueled hold, Abatemarco launched A La Carting as a concierge moving service. With a grant from the Westchester County Office of Economic Development”™s Launch 1000 program, Abatemarco turned the random unsolicited requests for his vehicles and staff into a new business endeavor.
“I want to be this a full-service, white glove service, hence the name A La Carting,” he said. “Because it is white glove, we have to dress appropriately ”” and we”™re in and out of fancy hotels and people”™s mansions in the Hamptons.”
Abatemarco transferred the logistics skill-set he deployed for the transport and assembly of special events décor into the packing and shipping of furniture and merchandise at the core of his new operations. The furloughed staff from Diana Gould eagerly agreed to work on this new venture, which saves him the bother of recruiting a team.
Abatemarco admitted that some jobs are on the modest side ”” “a lot of them have been just small moves out of self-storage facilities,” he said ”” but he has also taken on house moves that he considered “a tremendous learning experience.” He also turned on the sales charm by actively talking up his new business, and has already landed gigs with several self-storage units across Westchester.
But as the pandemic reaches its first anniversary, many people are pointing the rollout of the Covid vaccines as the beginning of the crisis”™ end. While Abatemarco is eager to resume full operations with Diana Gould, he also plans to keep A La Carting functioning post-pandemic.
“I am a high energy guy,” he said. “And while I appreciate the event business, we”™re not always busy 24/7. So, this will be perfect for me to fill the void.”
