REVITALIZED TIMES SQUARE AND THEATER DISTRICT
CONTINUE TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS
FAMOUS WEST VILLAGE PIZZERIA OPENS NEW BRANCH IN TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK CITY -- Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Gretchen Dykstra, President of the Times Square Business Improvement District, joined fellow New Yorkers today in welcoming John's Pizza, one of New York's most popular pizzerias, to Times Square.
The new John's Pizza is located in the 107-year-old Gospel Tabernacle Church, at 260 West 44th Street, a structure that pre-dates the birth of the present theater district by more than a decade. It is one of many businesses that have opened in the New Times Square area since the City began its efforts to revitalize the area.
"New York City remains committed to the rebirth of the Times Square area and the Theater District," Mayor Giuliani said. "Since 1992 restaurant owners have seen a 40 to 60 percent increase in business. The 1996-97 Broadway season was the best it's ever been and in 1996 over 20 million people visited Times Square and spent more than $3.5 billion. Our crime numbers are down -- in fact New York is now the safest large city in America -- the streets are cleaner, and more people are coming to see the New Times Square."
From 1993 to 1996 crime in the area dropped 48 percent and the declines have continued this year. The Disney Company, Morgan Stanley, Madame Tussaud and the Durst Company are just a few of the companies that have made major investments in the New Times Square.
"The arrival of John's Pizza in this fabulous new space signals the beginning of dramatic changes on 8th Avenue," said Gretchen Dykstra, President of the Times Square Business Improvement District. "The collaboration of the city, state and business community at Times Square is paying off and small business owners now have the confidence to invest in the New Times Square."
A new face on Times Square has helped increase the number of visitors to the area. It is estimated that more than 800,000 people board sightseeing buses in the area each year and over 3.5 million people stayed in the 24 hotels in the New Times Square in 1996.
"Now that the City is cleaner, safer and brighter than ever before, a new star is born almost everyday in Times Square, and I join Mayor Giuliani in welcoming our newest Broadway attraction," said Stephen J. Morello, President of New York Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We invite our 31 million visitors to enjoy a 'slice,' and congratulate John's Pizza on choosing to make it here."
John's Pizza, a family owned restaurant since it first opened on Bleecker Street in the West Village in 1929, is also located on Manhattan's Upper Eastside at 408 East 64th Street, and on the Upper West Side at 48 West 65th Street. The new restaurant will seat over 400 people, making it the largest pizzeria in the New York.
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