Penn Station stores, 'iconic' Rose's Pizza, returning after three-year construction shutdown

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.

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, including 18-foot high ceilings, in September and expects to finish the entire project early next year.

On Thursday, several commuters did a double take when they walked by the former home of Rose’s and saw the banner announcing its imminent return. Port Washington resident Melissa Williams remembered the eatery as “a great place to come and grab a slice of pizza if I was running late to work.”

“I remember my kids loved coming with me sometimes because we would get pizza, like on Take Your Daughter to Work Day,” said Williams, 55, who has been working remotely since the pandemic began and has made only infrequent trips through Penn. “I was surprised that there are literally no services or restaurants or anything.”

MTA officials long have expressed interest in more high-end businesses in Penn, like those available in Metro-North’s Manhattan home, Grand Central Terminal. But several blue-collar LIRR commuters and advocates made it clear they prefer more accessible dining options.

Reacting to the announcement of the forthcoming eateries at Penn, Gerard Bringmann, chairman of the LIRR Commuter Council, said: “So far, so good.”

“I just didn’t want everything to be all upscale. If you want a Starbucks, that’s great. But give us a Dunkin’ Donuts or a Tim Horton’s or something like that. If you want a sushi place, give us Rose’s Pizza, as well,” Bringmann said. “This way, no matter who you are — whether you’re a construction worker or a business man in a three-piece suit, you’ve got a place to go that’s going to make you happy.”

Even more new restaurants and other retail establishments are expected to open when Penn Station undergoes a $7 billion redevelopment project that will include removing much of the upper level. Project officials have said the work could begin in 2023, and last about five years.

Bringmann said he’s not overly concerned about Penn going from one construction project right to another, especially if there’s somewhere to grab a bite while the work is underway.

“For our commuters, I think the hard part is over,” Bringmann said.

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.