Closings

Hawaiian Tropic Zone Closing — for Renovations

Gastrodamus was half-right when he predicted the closure of Hawaiian Tropic Zone yesterday. What did not come through the tea leaves was a planned reopening, which the restaurant says is scheduled for May 1, following a significant renovation. The restaurant is moving entirely to the second floor, leaving room for a new retail tenant in Times Square. The closure coincides nicely with legal action against Hawaiian Tropic Zone from former waitresses, which the company forgot to mention in the press release. The corporate statement is after the jump.

HAWAIIAN TROPIC ZONE BEGINS $500,000

RENOVATION AFTER 1 MILLION VISITORS

NEW YORK, NY – The popular Hawaiian Tropic Zone restaurant at West 49th Street and Seventh Avenue in Times Square is beginning a $500,000 renovation, restaurant executives announced. The restaurant has hosted one million customers since its inception in October 2006.

The renovation is under direction of architect Robert Parnes of Tobin & Parnes Design Enterprises. It will consolidate the 200-seat restaurant on the second floor of the property, making up to 3,100 square feet of street level space available for a new retail tenant.

“In a little over two years, Hawaiian Tropic Zone has achieved brand recognition and customer loyalty. We can continue to operate this popular restaurant on the second floor while capitalizing on the property’s extraordinary location by generating substantial rental income at this high-volume retail location at the Crossroads of the World,” said Dennis Riese, Chairman and CEO.

The restaurant closes for renovations February 8 and is scheduled to reopen May 1.

“Regardless of the economic climate, Times Square remains one of the hottest retail markets in the world. This is a very attractive retail space and we expect significant interest,” said Jeffrey Roseman of Newmark Knight Frank who is marketing the retail space on the southeast corner of West 49th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Hawaiian Tropic Zone Closing — for Renovations