JCPenney Quite Happy in 34th Street District When JCPenney decided to “take Manhattan”, the company chose to set up in the Manhattan Mall. Last July, the company opened a 153,000 sq. ft. store to great fanfare and with great expectations. Have those expectations held up? According to an article in the Shopping Center Today, they have, very well indeed.
In the article, JCP’s Chairman, Myron E. Ullman III, is quoted as telling stock analysts last fall that during the first month of business, sales exceeded expectations “by double digits”. Ullman went on to say that the reason for the store’s success was its prime location, at “the center of the universe for New York commuters” i.e., sitting atop a subway station and the terminus for the PATH Trains from NJ. Ullman also let readers in on a pleasant surprise to his company: shoppers at the store come not only from Manhattan, as expected, but also heavily from Brooklyn, the Bronx, and even NJ. “We are finding the footprint is quite broad”, he said.
The writer of the article didn’t consult us, but we would have been glad to add that the 34th Street District has three of the six busiest subway stations in the city, that bustling Penn Station, the terminus for LIRR and NJ Transit trains and an hub for Amtrak, lies just two blocks west of the Manhattan Mall, and that the entire district consistently registers some of the highest pedestrian counts in NYC. All of these factors, plus the excellent streetscape, security and sanitation provided by 34th Street Partnership, make the District one of the greatest retail districts in the country.
Signs of Spring? Okay, the recent snowfall (and the fact that Punxsutawny Phil once again saw his shadow), made it clear that winter isn’t going away soon. But take heart, because there were two harbingers of spring at Bryant Park recently. First, we finished a project to take granite pavers, salvaged from our work on the front terrace of the NY Public Library, and install them in the ping pong area. The granite now covers the area occupied by the players at either end of the tables, giving them more secure footing. Go check it out, it looks great.
The other sign of impending spring was somewhat more ephemeral but still heartening: Pétanque players. We saw them on the Pétanque court a couple of Sundays ago. Remember, anyone can play ping pong or Pétanque during park hours, even though the areas are not staffed until the warm weather truly returns. Just bring your own equipment.
Law and Order Films at Greeley Square It’s no secret that Greeley Square and its partner Herald Square are excellent locations for promotions, product launches, and film and photo shoots. Beautiful, meticulously maintained, and constantly teeming with crowds produced by some of the city’s heaviest pedestrian flows, they offer perfect stages that scream “New York City”. Greeley’s latest star turn came last week, when the cast of Law and Order: Criminal Intent came to shoot scenes for the upcoming season. Look for the episode in May.
If you want to find out information about staging an event, promotion or photo shoot at Herald or Greeley Squares, visit our website at www.34thstreet.org.
Le Carrousel Busy in January Attendance at Le Carrousel in Bryant Park is off to a great start in 2010. During the month of January, 2,786 customers climbed aboard Manhattan’s most charming merry-go-round, compared with 2,266 in January of 2009. Revenue was also up more than 40%. Single ride sales were up 34%, and we couldn’t help noticing that sales of our Discount Card were up more than 145% as well. It looks like more and more people are discovering that one ride is simply not enough.
By the way, during Presidents Week (February 15-19), which largely overlaps with Fashion Week, Le Carrousel will be open every day from 11:00am-6:00pm. It’s the perfect way to ward off the winter blahs, and single rides are only $2, and a Discount Card gets you 10 rides for $15. Remember, beginning March 1. Le Carrousel will once again be open daily.
One Last Go for Fashion Shows at BP Mercedes Benz’ Fashion Week will be held in Bryant Park from February 11-18. This will be the last time the park hosts this event, as the tents will move to Lincoln Center beginning in September. As always, we are taking steps to ensure that the park is accessible to the public during the disruptive set-up and load-out time, as well as the week of the fashion shows.
Fashion’s move uptown is bittersweet for Bryant Park Corporation. The tents first set up in Bryant Park in 1993, just one year after the park was reopened following a four-year renovation, and, as BPC President Dan Biederman recently told Metro NY, “they brought us glamour.” We are grateful for the fashion industry’s role in raising our profile, and we wish the shows well in their new venue. Meanwhile, we are excited about the possibilities opening up for us. Not only will we be able to keep The Pond open longer in the winter, but the public will gain the use of the lawn during the glorious weather in September. Furthermore, patrons will no longer have to endure the major inconvenience associated with the twice-yearly set-ups and breakdowns of the shows.
The Bottom Line Bryant Park Corporation is already preparing for the warm weather months. Recently, we sent nine of the attractive umbrellas that provide shade for park patrons off to be repaired. The umbrellas will also undergo a deep cleansing treatment, so they will look their absolute best when returned to the park.
Bryant Park Daily Amenities Le Carrousel Winter Hours – Through February 28 Thursday-Sunday: 11:00am-6:00pm
When JCPenney decided to “take Manhattan”, the company chose to set up in the Manhattan Mall. Last July, the company opened a 153,000 sq. ft. store to great fanfare and with great expectations. Have those expectations held up? According to an article in the Shopping Center Today, they have, very well indeed. 
The writer of the article didn’t consult us, but we would have been glad to add that the 34th Street District has three of the six busiest subway stations in the city, that bustling Penn Station, the terminus for LIRR and NJ Transit trains and an hub for Amtrak, lies just two blocks west of the Manhattan Mall, and that the entire district consistently registers some of the highest pedestrian counts in NYC. All of these factors, plus the excellent streetscape, security and sanitation provided by 34th Street Partnership, make the District one of the greatest retail districts in the country. 
Okay, the recent snowfall (and the fact that Punxsutawny Phil once again saw his shadow), made it clear that winter isn’t going away soon. But take heart, because there were two harbingers of spring at Bryant Park recently. First, we finished a project to take granite pavers, salvaged from our work on the front terrace of the NY Public Library, and install them in the ping pong area. The granite now covers the area occupied by the players at either end of the tables, giving them more secure footing. Go check it out, it looks great. 
It’s no secret that Greeley Square and its partner Herald Square are excellent locations for promotions, product launches, and film and photo shoots. Beautiful, meticulously maintained, and constantly teeming with crowds produced by some of the city’s heaviest pedestrian flows, they offer perfect stages that scream “New York City”. Greeley’s latest star turn came last week, when the cast of Law and Order: Criminal Intent came to shoot scenes for the upcoming season. Look for the episode in May. 
Attendance at Le Carrousel in Bryant Park is off to a great start in 2010. During the month of January, 2,786 customers climbed aboard Manhattan’s most charming merry-go-round, compared with 2,266 in January of 2009. Revenue was also up more than 40%. Single ride sales were up 34%, and we couldn’t help noticing that sales of our Discount Card were up more than 145% as well. It looks like more and more people are discovering that one ride is simply not enough. 
Mercedes Benz’ Fashion Week will be held in Bryant Park from February 11-18. This will be the last time the park hosts this event, as the tents will move to Lincoln Center beginning in September. As always, we are taking steps to ensure that the park is accessible to the public during the disruptive set-up and load-out time, as well as the week of the fashion shows. 
Bryant Park Corporation is already preparing for the warm weather months. Recently, we sent nine of the attractive umbrellas that provide shade for park patrons off to be repaired. The umbrellas will also undergo a deep cleansing treatment, so they will look their absolute best when returned to the park. 
