Penn Station stores, ‘iconic’ Rose’s Pizza, returning after three-year
A slice of normalcy is returning to Penn Station.
After shuttering all the restaurants and shops along the concourse three years ago, the LIRR announced last week that several businesses are on their way back to the Manhattan transit hub next spring, including one that’s been sorely missed by hurried and hungry Long Island commuters — Rose’s Pizza.
Banners in front of the closed storefronts revealed that a smoothie place, a taqueria, a salad spot and a Duane Reade pharmacy will be opening, along with the beloved pizza spot. “Stay tuned, more to come soon,” the LIRR posted on its social media accounts, along with photos of the banners.
Although MTA officials have pushed for more upscale dining and retail businesses in Penn, commuters celebrated the return of Rose’s and other businesses with affordable options that cater to their hurried lifestyle.
WHAT TO KNOW
- The Long Island Rail Road has announced several new retail tenants coming to its Penn Station concourse next spring, including Rose’s Pizza, a longtime staple of the Manhattan transit hub.
- The eateries and shops closed in 2019 as construction began on a $600 million effort to raise the ceilings along the concourse beneath 33rd Street, and widen the pedestrian walkway by pushing back businesses about 20 feet. The project is expected to be finished early next year.
- Although MTA officials have pushed for more upscale dining and retail businesses at Penn, some commuters and advocates say they want quick and affordable options that cater to their hurried lifestyle.
Long Beach commuter Chris Doherty has posted comments on the LIRR’s Instagram posts — for months — pleading for the railroad to “bring back Rose’s in Penn Station.” He got his wish.
“Honestly, I couldn’t believe it … I had a lot a lot of haters who told me it was never coming back,” Doherty, 29, said in an exchange over Instagram, his platform of choice for trolling the LIRR about the “iconic” pizza place. “It was a reliable spot that was always there when you needed it. Whether you missed your train or just saw a show at MSG, you could grab a slice and a beer and forget about life for a while.”
The pizzeria long had been a popular staple among LIRR riders, who appreciated its grab-and-go dining options, including pizza by the slice and tall boy beer cans. The eatery generally received good reviews, including 3.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp. But it and every other business along the LIRR’s space in Penn closed in 2019, as the railroad took on an effort to expand its concourse beneath 33rd Street.
The $600 million project entailed raising the ceilings in the cramped station and nearly doubling the width of the walkway to 57 feet, from 30. That was accomplished by pushing back the storefronts by about 20 feet.
Vornado Realty Trust, which owns most of the retail space in Penn, including the one occupied by Rose’s, agreed to the new arrangement in exchange for allowing them to take over retail space in Penn previously owned by the LIRR. Vornado officials declined to comment.
Attempts to locate the owner of Rose’s were unsuccessful.
The LIRR unveiled some of the upgrades,…
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