NEW YORK - Hundreds of small businesses are calling on state and local leaders to let them get back to work by Tuesday.

Re-Open New York is a coalition of nearly 300 small business owners here in the city.

Members say they closed up shop during the pandemic to help flatten the curve, but should now be allowed to get back to business.

"Genuinely, they don't understand how a big box store like a Costco or a Target or a Walmart are able to be open in the state of New York today, selling all the same products they do. The whole lockdown is about small groups, avoiding large gathering in closed spaces, and what could be better than a small boutique or a small shop or a small enterprise," said Bruce Backman, the coalition's spokesperson.

The group's online petition calling for a May 26th reopening has more than 6,000 signatures.