Junior’s, Two Boots could get booted from Grand Central

Eateries facing fierce competition for retail space in rail station

Junior's and Two Boots at Grand Central
Junior's and Two Boots at Grand Central

The kitchen timer may be ticking for two popular eateries on Grand Central Terminal’s lower concourse.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s recent tour with prospective tenants leaves a major question mark on whether old-school eatery Junior’s and pizza chain Two Boots will remain at the station. Both eateries are facing the end of their respective leases, with requests for proposals for those spaces due to the MTA by Oct. 23.

“We’ll do everything we can to stay here,” Phil Hartman, co-founder and owner of Two Boots, told Crain’s. “We consider Grand Central our flagship.”

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Hartman and Junior’s owner Alan Rosen are considering improvements to their spaces and expanded menu options, like a weekend brunch and an espresso bar, if their leases are renewed.

According to Crain’s, Danny Meyer, whose burger chain Shake Shack operates beside Junior’s, was among those touring Grand Central Terminal with the MTA on Oct. 7. However, a spokeswoman for Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group told Crain’s he was not there.

Prior to his decision to remain planted in Downtown Brooklyn, Rosen considered opening a Junior’s across from the Barclays Center, as reported by The Real Deal. [Crain’s] –Kerry Barger