Shake Shack at 77th street and Columbus Avenue is so popular that people often line up outside and sometimes around the block. But one local says the crowd makes it virtually impossible for people to walk on the sidewalk, a situation that’s “unacceptable and dangerous.”
Joe Bolanos has proposed that the restaurant shrink its cafe and potentially change the way its line works, to keep the crowds from spilling onto the sidewalk. He took the photos above and below and drafted the plan below that.
“My recommendation was/is that the enclosed cafe be recessed to line up with the Shake Shack entrance so as to create a wider sidewalk for pedestrian traffic, especially for the mobility challenged (Wheelchairs, people on crutches, seniors, etc).”
The company had no comment. Shake Shack has had employees try to keep the sidewalk line more orderly, but Bolanos says that hasn’t worked.
Shake Shack’s cafe renewal application is on the community board’s agenda for tonight, along with several other cafe applications and liquor licenses. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the community board offices, 250 West 87th street. Here’s the full agenda:
Business & Consumer Issues Committee, Michele Parker and George Zeppenfeldt-Cestero,
Co-Chairpersons
Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 PM
Applications to the SLA for two year liquor licenses:
1. 2170-2178 Broadway (West 77th Street) OTA Partners II LLC, d/b/a To be Determined.
2. 998 Amsterdam Avenue (West 109th Street) Tannadice LLC, d/b/a To be Determined.
3. 427 Amsterdam Avenue (West 80th Street) Tai Kai Inc., d/b/a Momoya Upper West.
4. 2636 Broadway (West 100th Street) Spectru Restaurants, d/b/a d/b/a To be Determined.
5. 1991 Broadway (West 67th Street) Sugar Factory Broadway LLC, d/b/a Sugar Factory.
6. 80 Riverside Drive (West 80th Street) Cosmopolitan Broadcasting Corporation d/b/a Riverside Tower Hotel.
7. 483 Columbus Avenue (West 83rd Street) LVSS Inc., d/b/a Bellini. (Existing W/B, upgrade to full On-Premises.)
Enclosed Café Renewal Applications:
8. 200 Columbus Avenue (West 69th Street.) Renewal application #1271565DCA / ULURP #N150443ECM to the Department of Consumer Affairs by Magnolia Columbus Avenue, LLC, d/b/a Magnolia Bakery, for a four-year consent to operate an enclosed sidewalk café with 15 tables and 39 seats.
9. 269 Columbus Avenue (West 72nd – 73rd Streets) Renewal application #1392078DCA /ULURP #N150429ECM to the Department of Consumer Affairs by 72nd & Columbus Restaurant, LLC d/b/a AG Kitchen for a four-year consent to operate an enclosed sidewalk café with 16 tables and 34 seats.
10. 366 Columbus Avenue (West 77th Street.) Renewal application ULURP# N120250ECM/ DCA# 1282506 to the Department of Consumer Affairs by Shake Shack 366 Columbus, LLC, d/b/a Shake Shack, for a four-year consent to operate an enclosed sidewalk café with 12 tables and 34 seats.
11. 2290 Broadway (West 83rd Street.) Renewal application #1350796DCA/ ULURP #N140425ECM to the Department of Consumer Affairs by Corned Beef Express, LLC, d/b/a Artie’s Delicatessen, for a four-year consent to operate an enclosed sidewalk café with 26 tables and 54 seats.
New/Change of Ownershp Enclosed Café Application:
12. 320 Columbus Avenue (West 75th Street.) New/change of ownership application #5143-2015-ASWC /ULURP #N150414ECM to the Department of Consumer Affairs by Shreeji Swami Restaurant, Inc. d/b/a Saffron Indian Cuisine for a four-year consent to operate an enclosed sidewalk café with 10 tables and 26 seats.
This actually sounds like a good idea. It is really frustrating trying to pass by there during peak meal time.
It’s a terrible idea if you know anything about customer flow. People who can’t find somewhere to eat inside will start crowding the sidewalk *with their food*. You think it’s crowded now? Wait until Shake Shack, to be magnanimous, throws a couple of picnic benches out front.
Complaining about lines is a classic NIMBY moment. Shake Shack is one of the most successful businesses in our neighborhood, and it’s a New York native business, too. They’ll find a nicer way to snake the line (how about on 77th Street?) and we can move on.
agreed!!
fyi, the “Bruce B” above is not me…
Obviously.
So Joe here’s what you gotta know. The Shake Shack is a tourist destination as is that stupid bakery Levain on W 74th Street which generates the same issues. Face the facts man, Manhattan is a theme park.
I love tourists! They inject money into our local economy and keep people employed. Bring ’em on!
You must have your own car and driver.
I have my own car because I commute outside the city for work. And I do have my own driver. That would be my wife. Because she hates my driving.
yes..the injection is good..however the money is going into giant corporations..not like it’s going into people’s pockets that actually own businesses here. This is why your mom and pop are dying out. It’s idiocracy. AND here is what Johnnny says about eating in NYC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LmPBPWHJu4
Look, I miss the mom & pop stores as much as anyone, and it breaks my heart to see our remaining ones close. But what does that have to do with tourists? And while I agree that the big corporation is ultimately making the $$$, Shake Shack is still employing locals from the UWS or surrounding neighborhoods. That’s a good thing. My biggest issue is with those who automatically hate tourists, for no other reason except that they’re tourists, without understanding the benefits that they bring to our city.
Re: “…people often line up outside and sometimes around the block.”
It’s mainly TOURISTS !
REALLY! Would any self-respecting certified LOCAL ever be seen on that line??
But do not hate the Tourists. For them it is a MEDICAL NECESSITY.
See, these are people from places where everyone gets into a vehicle to do anything, especially going out to eat. NO ONE WALKS in these places (cf. Los Angeles, Atlanta, etc.).
But then they come to NYC and discover, Quel Horreur!, that they have to WALK almost everywhere…they even have to WALK to get to those stupid double-decker sight-seeing buses!
But WALKING burns off calories, leaving them out of shape. So they flock to places like ShakeShack to replenish their daily supply of “C/C” … Carbohydrates/Cholesterol. This is important so that they and their offspring can restore their normal appearance — that of Human Macy’s Thanksgiving-Parade Balloons.
Yes, they are tourists, not human, so screw them. We want our neighborhood to consist of Native New Yorkers (born and “bread”), free of any kind of visitors, and double-triple parked cars. Just like Washington Heights.
Re: “…and double-triple parked cars. Just like Washington Heights.”
UH-OH!!
Careful with remarks like that, lest the Anti-Racism/Anti-UnLiberal-Thoughts/Anti-Your Aunty crowd comes after you!
Man you are one angry fella. Why don’t you just leave the city. Who’s keeping you here?
And now that school’s open, we can add to the queues all the overentitled adolescents whose daily lunch money obviously far outstrips the weekly allowances many of us can recall.
But if the FOOD were only on a par with its incomprehensible popularity, all might still be forgiven. Alas, this Shake Shack–like its other branches–is yet one more example of Danny Meyer’s overreaching “imperial” restaurateur vision. The burgers are utterly textureless, and the fries–well, guys, gotta tell ya they can’t hold a candle to Ore-Ida’s!
“Over entitled adolescents”? Good god. Could whine maybe a tad bit more? It’s refreshing.
It is true that Shake Shack has earned its presence in the Lonely Planet and Forbes, and that folks visiting the Upper West Side to see the Museum, the Dakota, and Strawberry Fields will commonly visit this location for lunch…
That said, I think it’s a completely inaccurate generalization to say that everybody in the line is tourists and that no local would ever wait in that line. It’s just not true; I know oodles of people who go to Shake Shack for their own calorie and cholesterol fix; I’ve certainly had my share of milk-shakes. Please check your facts and assumptions.
yeah, I’d love a shake shack line just for locals.
Only people who do not value their time would stand on that line. There are plenty of other food options. And I do go to Shake Shack, but NEVER when then line is out the door.
Can this websites name be changed to http://www.westsidewhine.com?
That’s all it is.
It was always this way. The most opinionated people in NYC have always lived on the UWS and they are also the rudest. They will kill you for a roll at Fairway.
Re “They will kill you for a roll at Fairway.”
Then imagine what some would do for a ‘roll in the hay’! (cf. Terri Garr in “Young Frankenstein”)
Great comment. So sick of the entitled babies whining about everything. Let’s drive them out of business too. Pretty soon, it will be Chase and Starbucks on every block.
LOL, so true!
Kvetch-sideRag.com ?
so many pessimistic wet-blankets always commenting on here…
seriously — so many old crusties on here
I agree that the suggested alteration is a great idea. That corner is a disaster. Any moment, Elmo and the topless ladies will be there to busk for the tourists in line LOL.
I just had a vendor in from Chicago….he was really fascinated with how all the topless ladies were allowed in Times Square.
cool story bro
and this has WHAT exactly to do with the story that everyone ELSE is commenting on???????
The point is that everyone should be in cars. No pedestrian plazas, no lines to get a burger and a shake. Next thing you know, these people waiting in line will start disrobing out on the street in front of my 7 year old.
Use UBER!
Actually across NY State anywhere in public where men are allowed to go topless, women are allowed to go topless as well, based on a state Supreme Court decision in an equal protection case in the 90’s.
The fact that so many people are shocked that some women chose to exercise this right says more about their ignorance of the law than anything else. And really, if these women chose to wear paint any other places in the city no one would care, it’s just shocking to all the tourists who come to visit expecting an urban disneyworld.
Welcome to the real New York, Giuliani is long gone
Extend the sidewalk and it will just continue to fill up with more people. “A glass half empty is still twice as big as it needs to be” so to speak.
Extend the sidewalk and next thing you know they’ll be applying for a sidewalk cafe.
The right thing to do is for Shake Shack to remove the indoor seating along the windows facing the sidewalk and install a lunch counter -similar to a Grays Papaya. It will increase the holding capacity for diners waiting to order, and encourage diners along the counter to keep things relatively low maintenance, or get the order to go.
or you could just go “oh hey i shouldn’t walk here right now because it’s so crowded” like the rest of us do without issues
Lol. You’re a million percent right! Just cross the friggin street!
Or you could just say “excuse me” and “pardon” like a civilized human being and get by all those fine folks just as easy.
Just saying…
That area is a constant nightmare and Shake Shack does nothing to discourage it. They allow these yokels to treat the sidewalk as if it’s their own space, oblivious to the fact people need to use the sidewalk to um, gasp, walk. The looks I receive as I try to pass while pushing a stroller are unbelievable. Clueless. However, the looks I shoot back at them are along the lines of – are you really waiting in line for 30 minutes to get a hamburger?!! It will be a cold day in hell before you ever catch me waiting in line to get anything from there.
How about you just hmmm, cross the street? There’s a reason I nickname the UWS as the “Stroller Derby”. It’s not that hard. I do it all the time to avoid the fairway traffic. I win. Shoppers win. Stop yammering and move over.
Re: “The looks I receive as I try to pass while pushing a stroller are unbelievable.”
But OF COURSE! You, going about your normal daily routine and attempting to get a stroller past these people, are obviously JUST ANOTHER RUDE NEW YORKER…at least to someone from some five-blocks-long town here to confirm their preconceived notions about wicked Gotham.
And when they get home they’re going to score all sorts of brownie-points by posting to Facebook and InstaGram just how R-O-O-D New Yorkers are and how congested the city is…never realizing that it would be a LOT LESS CROWDED if gawking tourists like themselves just stayed home!
I don’t know you and how you push your stroller. But if you’re like all the other stroller pushers, then you are rude and expect the streets and sidewalks to open just for you. If not, take the liberty of ramming he thing into my ankles.
Ditto that!!
I’ve never bought one, but I would think that for years, all strollers have come with gold-framed certificates of non-revocable entitlement!
And don’t forget, these UWS mothers have been at it for many, many years. Now at least, they have to compete with sidewalk space with kamikaze delivery “boys” on motorized bikes, and increasingly every day, hordes of people walking with their heads down as they text. And that last group, I’ve noticed, is not just limited to thousands of obviously mentally-challenged millennials but lately more middle-aged, overweight individuals lumbering along with obscene grins on their mugs as their arthritic fingers tap and swipe!
hah. 1000x this. The entitled breeders in this neighborhood are a sight to behold and hear
yeah screw these guys for trying to sell as many hamburgers as possible. I wish they’d close it down and put a nail salon there so you could push your stroller easier and not have to take a different route like everyone else
But won’t anyone think of the children? Or the wee turtles? Or some other appropriately pearl-clutching situation?
You have people who want to patronize a business in your neighborhood. It’s a place they want to be! This is a great problem to have!
I say pedestrianize the block of 77th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus on the weekends to give the line room to stretch out so people can still pass by. Maybe relocate the Sunday farmer’s market there too, especially on those weeks where the craft market takes over their usual spot on Columbus and they’re shunted over to the flea market space in the schoolyard, which always makes that space overcrowded and unnavigable.
Does anyone else remember when it was “The Museum Cafe?” Loved that place! They had a Chicken Tandoori sandwich that was outstanding–at least to my teenage taste buds.
Hey folks, I hate to state the obvious but if you want all of those shiny progressive spending stuff, you need lots and lots of money. Thankfully, NYC is, and hopefully despite the best efforts of Comrade DeBlaiso, is safe enough that tourists come to NYC to spend their tourist money. Also, we on the UWS should be pleased that tourists which to go beyond the Times Square tourist are to spend their money in our community. The employees of stores like Shake Shack, the Natural History Museum, etc have jobs thanks to this money. So, can we please put the usual level of obnoxious UWS snobbery/NIMBY attitude in check for a second. Tourists do not have coodies – even those that come from, horrid, MIDDLE AMERICA! They are nice people. Talk to them. Thank them for coming to our city. Be grateful that unlike Baltiomore, and Detroit tourists actually want to visit us.
exactly
Just keep saying “Excuse me” until people move and allow you to pass. A free and easy solution.
A business doing well in our neighborhood is a good “problem” to have. Stop complaining about every small inconvenience in life – save it for the big stuff.
“Excuse me”? You expect people to say “Excuse me”??
Next you’ll be wanting them to say “Please” and “Thank you”.
What dinosaur age are you from, anyway? Those words are obsolete in these parts.
Gimme! Outta my way!!
“Hey! I’m walkin’ here!”
Give them a nice NY welcome. Say excuse me as you barrel through them. Extra points for stepping on their foot with your crutches, rolling over them with your stroller or bumping them with your bag. Of course don’t forget to say sorry. You wouldn’t want them to think you are rude!
Well said, Steve. I prefer to whine about all the whiners!!
Exactly! Or cross the street and avoid the crowd altogether! There are options!
Logic! Thank you
The line is an annoyance but seems to manage itself fairly well. The related and bigger problem is the people idling on that corner, deciding whether they want to wait in said line. In the top picture, you can see the people on line standing fairly close to the building, while a large group of people seems to be standing there blocking the way and staring north like they just saw Elvis. It is also a lousy place to have the mailbox, as that clutters things up as well.
First of all, it’s a Danny Mayer restaurant which means the food is good in all locations. In New York, people don’t stand in line for crap – there are countless options.
And the obvious: this is Manhattan. With crowds, food, street vendors and a lot of thins that the purists on this board don’t agree with. A great business on your block is GOOD.
I wish the guys who really, really hog the sidewalk, those in front Ansonia, were gone. They take up 2/3 of the sidewalk. And those African men selling counterfeit bags on every block on the UWS are a strange phenomenon, too.
The pedestrian congestion outside this shop is a hazard. About a year ago I saw a young child, 5ish, veer off the sidewalk into the weekend Columbus Ave traffic to the horror of the parent and observant people trying to negotiate this terrible day nconvenience. It is ridiculous. They often don’t have staff to corral the hungry masses no matter what they say.. People, let’s not forget this is a CHAIN restaurant with lots cations around the world. I can only imagine the uproar if this was a McDonald’s. Things need to change at this dangerous pedestrian crossing. I appreciate the photos for those who don’t deal with this on a daily basis.
There were few lines when this Shake Shack branch first opened. But since that time it has morphed into a contrived tourist stop.
Funny thing, in at least several other cities, Shake Shacks is not crowded at all. For example, not crowded at the Boca Raton, Fl branch though right next to a university. Same lack of crowds in other cities.
IMO the burgers are not so special, nor the fries. (Try the fries at Schatzi the Butcher)
Maybe we should direct the tourists to the East 86th Street location!
Lisa, I’ve been wondering about the food at Schatzie’s. How are the burgers?
Re: “…not crowded at the Boca Raton, Fl branch….”
Ummmm, NOTHING is ever crowded in Boca Raton, except maybe the fancy-shmancy “Town-Centre” (note the fancy-shmancy spelling) Upper-Up-scale Mall.
In fact, it is probably a faux pas to be a pedestrian in Boca-a-a-a, as anyone who is anyone MUST be seen in his or her Lexus or Mercedes.
Actually there is a ton of garbage – in trash cans and on the street – generated by the customers. And not just on the corner by Shake Shack, but also across the street near benches.
Shake Shack does need to do a better job with customer-generated trash.
Shake Shack employees do clean up the benches and trash cans across the street by the museum park. I’ve seen it numerous times and was impressed that they are taking care of public space and not leaving it to the city. Danny Meyer is a huge supporter of the public parks. Shake Shack is one of the more responsible businesses in NYC – look up the charitable work that Danny Meyer does.
But no, because a couple of stuck up, whiny busybodies are upset because we have a successful business (hence the lines) let’s do everything possible to make them leave the area. Than those same idiots will complain about why there are so many empty stores. Some people just need to get a hobby or a life perhaps.
Hi richard
I think the SS staff try hard but the volume of business and garbage is huge. And SS may not realize that some customers will walk a block or so to eat – and then leave their garbage, either in overflowing trash cans or by benches.
SS is a chain at this point – no longer a “small business.”
(In contrast to the Columbus & 77th Street location which is essentially on a local neighborhood commercial block, the East 86th Street branch is situated on a big chain store commercial street. The East 86th Street branch appears to be bigger, is set back, and seems to have fewer tourist crowds – and seemingly less SS customer garbage on the street.)
From your post it is clear that we have differing opinions about the garbage situation….
However, an attack on my comment including the references “stuck up, whiny busybodies…idiots…” is truly unbelievable – and completely uncool.
Yup I just said same thing. That should be the goal…clean up after customers even across the street and don’t store your restaurant’s garbage bags there either. I can’t believe is even legal.
They could just open another location in the hood. This is the AMNH visitor outpost.
In addition, shake shack stores it’s garbage on 77th near the benches at the museum of natural history. It’s filthy.
I walk past there every day with my stoller. While yes, it’s annoying, it’s sadder to see all the shuttered businesses along Columbus.
That said, I also eat there with my kids. The line is poorly managed and there is no place to wait with your buzzer comfortably without heading to the sidewalk. I don’t think moving the enclosure back will fix anything. They just need a better line system and pickup system. The line is rarely out the door. You just have no place to go while your order is being prepared.
Amazing how many more comments are posted regarding a few people in front of a food establishment when they are spraying our neighborhood with toxic chemicals. For those that missed the posting on spraying tonight, here’s what you need to know.
https://www.rense.com/general3/lieswnv.htm
Why don’t they just spray in front of the restaurant?
Problem solved!!
The lines are not blocking any pedestrians from walking by on the sidewalk. I walk by there all the time and all you have to say is “excuse me please” and then you walk through. We all live in a city which means there will be an abundance of people. Shake Shack should just be asked to have better crowd control.
The irony is that in two months from now that entire area will be mobbed with people for the Macy’s balloon inflation.
What an ignorant comment. My grandmother has lived in this neighborhood longer than any of the yahoos who clog the side walk. For people to say she should walk across the street to get by, or just push her way thru? Seriously? You imbeciles. Just manage the line for crying out loud. It’s a sidewalk. Not a side stand. SS should be forced to keep people single file and keep the sidewalk open. If they cannot, close the place for the day. Fining them clearly will not work. So next time you think this is acceptable, think of your grandmother being knocked down or forced to walk in the street because of the inconsiderate jacka** is waiting to get his burger.
I totally agree. I grew up on the Upper West Side. But if I see that a street is very congested I always cross the street no matter where I am. Why put yourself through it unless you don’t mind navigating through the crowd. Everyone has a choice. Most times I chose to avoid it, if I could help it. This isn’t about self righteousness, it’s about getting to your destination!
I say use your taser. These yahoos are a blight on our very existence.
every NYer should go out and buy an orange colored water device and start spraying the crowd when approaching the store. It will clear the pathway in a NY minute. BTW-I say device, not gun and make it bright orange so as not to confuse with a faux pistol or rifle
I propose we shift Columbus Avenue several feet to the East to allow for a wider sidewalk on the West side of the street. The contentious bike lane could be eliminated (it’s mostly used for food service anyhow). Or Shake Shack customers could line up in the bike lane given that about 1 bike every two minutes is all the traffic it ever sees. Or people who whine about crowds when they choose to live in the most populated, most densely populated city in the country could shut up and move to Dalhart, Texas where they roll up the sidewalks at 8pm.
Why rag on Dalhart?
I love Dalhart. Best fried chicken in the world. Just an example of places that close up early.
Ha, ha. Comedy gold. I enjoyed the comments on how I was blamed for being a bad guy because I’m unable to use the sidewalk while pushing a stroller next to Shake Shack. With witty banter like, “use the other side of the street” and lumping me into a category of rude stroller pushers when said people have absolutely no clue as they throw around baseless claims and random generalizations. Well here’s my random generalization about the people who responded. Probably the same people who hate Valentines Day. While the rest of the world has found love, a family and children, you are unattractive both physically and intellectually. Destined to live a sad, pathetic single life as you wait on a sidewalk for a hamburger, all you can do is attack what others have and you don’t. Maybe moving to another area of the city where there are less strollers will allow you to lead a better life. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
What????? You make no sense at all!!
LOL. How physically attractive can you be if it’s a burden to cross the street? Also, are you saying that people who choose to not have children are not physically/intellectually worthy people? Hey everyone! We must have a Duggar/fundamentalist in our midst. Let’s all welcome him warmly by sharing other 1950s ideas.
I love the “proposed” sidewalk graphic, as if the widened area simply won’t be filled with people who now have a little more elbow room to fill it.
Not only is the line unacceptable. It’s inexplicable! Shake Shack food is just not that good! Emperor’s new clothes!
My apologies for the delay in this post. First, I would like to thank the Community Board Business & Consumer committee for their total appreciation of the issues created in our community at the Shake Shack 366 Columbus Ave location. The trash overflow in the trash bins outside of the location was a constant complain by area residents. On the NE corner of W77th Street, the trash bags had become a source for rat feeding frenzies. Really.
And regarding the sidewalk congestion in front of the location and on the NW corner of Columbus Ave & 77th street, Shake shack had promised the community two years ago that they (SS) would have staff “ambassadors” (corporate speak) to control and organize the lines outside if the story. Clearly, they hadn’t and Shake Shack “area director” Amanda Kale apologized for their failing to fulfill that promise. And so the congestion went unabated for two additional years.
On Wednesday night, the B&C cmte expressed to the three Shake Shack “executives” how their (SS) credibility had faltered to a great degree.
And so, the following conditions were included in the resolution in consideration of their enclosed sidewalk renewal:
TRASH: At least two additional “solar compactor” trash bins will be installed outside of the Shake Shack location to address the trash overflow problem. Solar compactor trash bins allegedly hold about 7-8 times the amount of trash than a city trash can. (according to Shake Shack)
-Trash pickups will now occur 7 nights a week.
– Rope stanchions will be utilized to manage the lines outside of the location. The new line foot print will follow the building line south and around the W77 corner towards Amsterdam Ave. The existing bench and planter will be removed.
– A full time manager will be assigned as an “ambassador” on the sidewalk to maintain crowd flow in front of the location entrance.
-And finally…and my favorite…the cmte told Shake Shack that it will monitor and review all community complaints and/or lapses in Shake Shack’s assurances every quarter (every three months) for a year. This was unprecedented in my experience of attending CB7 meetings. And it was all due to Shake Shack’s waning credibility with the community in the form of past broken promises. This component of the resolution was by far the most serious of all, in my opinion.
The fact that a $100 million plus company, with an established brand, does not have credibility in a community speaks volumes for the corporate big chain mindset of “profit at any cost”.
Furthermore, I guess what really annoyed me about the Shake Shack’s Area director Kale was her rejection of my proposal to redesign the store, in the form of downsizing the existing kitchen, to accommodate better customer flow in the store. Kale insisted that the “open kitchen” concept was an important part of the Shake Shack brand and would not be considered. Really?
I reminded her that they were a fast food burger and fries eatery and that I doubted that people would turn away simply because their “open kitchen” was now smaller.
This isn’t a Michelin rated restaurant, friends. This is fast food (or “fast casual” in Shake Shack corporate speak) joint that serves fast food. In fact, the long sidewalk lines are part of the Shake Shack brand as well, to the dismay of local communities. It is reported that in the early days of the Bryant Park location, Shake Shack management hired people to stand on long lines to promote the “demand” for their fast food.
After a long discussion the cmte passed the resolution to renew Shake Shack’s enclosed cafe with all the above mentioned caveats included. I had opposed the cafe renewal from the start in the hopes of creating positive change. I think that the outcome of Wednesday night’s meeting resounded a victory bell for, and throughout, our community. And, for that, I am very grateful.
And the lesson to be learned here, dear friends, is that showing up at one meeting can mean the difference between “rubber stamping” a bad situation. Or re- assessing a serious issue. Had I not showed up at the July 8th committee meeting at CB7, chances are that the Shake Shack cafe would have been renewed even though Shake Shack mgmt didn’t bother to show up. (The cafe renewal had not been associated with the sidewalk congestion problem previous to that night) It is on that night that the cmte realized the linkage between the sidewalk congestion and the narrowing of the sidewalk by the existing enclosed cafe. And it’s because of this realization that the cmte decided to hold over the approval of the cafe until this past week. It was a pivotal point in addressing the congestion problem.
This is NOT about me whatsoever. It is about how one person at one meeting can affect change by affecting a “business as usual” item on an agenda.
In this matter, it worked out wonderfully, and I have no one to thank more than the cmte members of CB7. They were passionately engaged in resolving this Shake Shack debacle. And they proved it by this week’s meeting’s outcome. To them I say “Thank you!”.
Time will tell as to whether Shake Shack will re establish its credibility in our community, or if they’ll forget about the assurances that they made this past Wednesday and return to their “brand at any cost” mindset. We’ll see in three months in the first of four quarterly reviews.
For now, I’m hoping for the best…cautiously.
And why shouldn’t I be?
Now you know.
Ah the local self appointed arbiter. People like you are a big reason thete are so many empty storefronts and why NYC is one of the worst places in America to run a business. If they end up closing this location please be aware the workers will know who you are and what you have done. Im sure you didnt think of that.
#1) Threats and personal attacks are not the noblest method of advancing a cogent dialog;
#2) Those “local self-appointed arbiters” are the neighbors around you, engaged in democratic grassroots action, and exercising their power *through* interaction *with* a community board; and
#3) Could you state some basis for your assertion that NYC is “one of worst places in America to run a business”?
.. and we all know why there are so many empty storefronts in NY. It’s because of the rent.
No business is permitted to block sidewalks, bloat trash cans and breed rats.
Why should SS be?
Thank you so much, Joseph, for your detailed report to us, and for the pain you took to move this along in the right direction. It’s a lesson to me in earnest dialog, patience and persistence.
SS does rent the sidewalk, but we all pay taxes. We should not have to smell their garbage, kill their rats or cross the street to get around them.
Thanks for the information.
Irrespective of varying opinions on SS congestion, food, etc, clearly garbage and rats is a significant issue.
When are you setting your sights on those crowded sidewalks outside Trader Joe’s or all the bus stops on the UWS? We need crowd control for these debacles as well.
We need you to set up rope lines all over the place and credibility will be restored for everyone!
You know what else we need? Hall monitors… get pensioners to stand in buildings with an official looking vest to make sure everyone is where they are permitted. No hall pass… call the cops.
I live above Shake Shack. It’s not been fun since their construction began. Cut phone and cable wires, construction workers buzzing all apartments to get into the building to access the roof. Rooftop compressors rattling the top floor apartments, while lower levels smell like burgers. We lost our basement to them for their lower level seating. Our stoop is covered in leftover milkshakes, wrappers and ketchup. Even after politely saying “excuse me,” you have to push your way through the line to access/exit the building.
I understand they have a right to operate their business there. What they need is staff assigned to manage the lines. Their sole responsibility to keep customers happy (and single file) while they wait and to keep them and the community safe. Point out the park benches all along the museum across the street. It is dangerous since walking in the street has become a way of life at this busy intersection.
Let’s just widen the sidewalk! As if that was so easy. Sounds to me like an expensive suggestion that would cost the restaurant hundreds of thousands of dollars at the end of the day if they have to break down the structure of the building, get permits and pay for all the labor. It’s New York City, and it’s a popular place at lunch time. A wide sidewalk and smaller restaurant are not going to change anything about that.
I’m more concerned with the vast amount of take out garbage distributed around the AMNH resulting in a proliferation of rats in TR Park
92 comments (not counting my own 4) with threats like:
“If they end up closing this location please be aware the workers will know who you are and what you have done. Im sure you didnt think of that.”
This was a campaign, within a neighborhood blog, directed by vested interest.
I tried avoiding the customers in front of the shake shack entrance , tripped on a metal barricade,fell face down on the sidewalk. Sustained a nasty gash on my knee, scratches on arms and face.and glasses.Visited doctor three times afterwards.In front of the entrance – a mailbox, three trash bins,scaffolding and metal NYPD barricade.Filed a claim for medical expenses by Shake Shack’s parent company but rejected. Notified 20th precinct and manager of Shack Shack as well.
I’m sorry that SS washed their hands of this.
Since you got injured on a NYC sidewalk, I gather that the City paid for your medical expenses (?)
Are you okay by now? I hope so. I’m sorry.
Appreciate your reply .thank you. Accident happened June 2014. I still feel twinge on my kneenow and then.
It would help congestion if the trash bins and SS trash bags can be moved away from entrance in addition to a more orderly customer line. Danny Meyer is known For his hospitality
And in Shake shack’s case on 77th St. this should apply to pedestrians as well