Grand Central Terminal food makeover
NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - The restaurant business has historically been one of the most risky businesses in New York City, but now there's a new challenge facing the eateries at Grand Central Terminal with the MTA refusing to renew the leases of some restaurants, even when they can afford it.
More than 15 years after Grand Central Terminal expanded its dining options, it is looking to freshen up its offerings, with 15 food leases already expired or on their way to expiration. Among those is Junior's, which has been here from the beginning and will soon become a 'wichcraft location. The restaurant has already lost its upper concourse shop to a soon-to-be-opened Juice Press.
Though diners will still be able enjoy this location for at least four more months, with the chain's Brooklyn, Times Square, and Foxwoods locations all remaining open.
Others reportedly getting the boot include Two Boots Pizza, a New York establishment known for its innovative pies.
Even The Campbell Apartment, a genteel hideaway from the terminal's chaos, is still unsure of its fate though the bar's owner says he has offered to pay double his rent for the right to stay.
The MTA responded to our request for a comment explaining that they "manage the composition of retail stores and eateries in Grand Central to ensure a diverse mixture of stores and a healthy representation of locally owned small businesses."
And only time will tell who makes the cut and who doesn't.