NEWS |
111-99: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , September 30, 1999
Bolstered by unprecedented attendance at the concerts on the World Trade Center's newly renovated Austin J. Tobin Plaza, retailers and restaurants at the giant office complex enjoyed a 26-percent increase in sales in June - the most recent month for which figures are available - compared to the same period the prior year.
The Port Authority operates the World Trade Center, home to more than 70 retail shops and restaurants in downtown Manhattan's largest indoor mall.
OnStage! At The Twin Towers - featuring the new "Evening Stars" series, which included world premieres by the Limón Dance Company and performances by violinist Eileen Ivers and the Philip Glass Ensemble - drew 250,000 spectators to more than 70 free performances on the World Trade Center's Plaza from June through September.
"The World Trade Center's retail success enhances the value of Manhattan's most prized parcel of real estate, which also enjoys a 94-percent occupancy rate," said Port Authority Chairman Lewis M. Eisenberg. The agency is seeking private bidders to operate the World Trade Center under a long-term net lease.
"Everything is coming together at the World Trade Center: free world-class entertainment; superb shops and restaurants; and a beautiful new Plaza to serve the thousands of people who live in downtown Manhattan, the tens of thousands who work here and the millions who visit each year," said Port Authority Executive Director Robert E. Boyle. "The World Trade Center is a key component of the economic and entertainment engine driving the development of downtown Manhattan as a 24/7 community."
Cherrie Nanninga, Director of Real Estate for the Port Authority, expects the World Trade Center's retail strength to continue growing, as the bistate agency welcomes several new and prominent stores:
ˇ Sephora - a bold new concept from Paris, this cosmetics store defies traditional selling methods and gives consumers freedom to try new products while enjoying a beautiful, stimulating environment;
ˇ Papyrus - featuring stationery products of exceptional quality and diversity;
ˇ Barami - featuring contemporary business women's clothing with color-coordinated outfits, interesting textures and chic accessories;
ˇ Crabtree & Evelyn - this prototype store for a new merchandising strategy based on lifestyle, with products for gardening, cooking and the home, is a new vision for this bath, body and fragrance firm;
ˇ LensCrafters - offering exceptional convenience and optical care, this store features a wide selection of frames and lenses, personal attention and a full-service lab; and
ˇ Johnston & Murphy - an elite shoe store that carries classic, contemporary, dress and tailored footwear for men, as well as a variety of accessories including belts and shoe care products.
The information released today includes sales from retailers and restaurants that opened earlier this year at the World Trade Center - such as Cosi Sandwich Bar, which began business on the Plaza in June.
"We were very excited to be out there all summer. The day business was strong and steady, and the night business picked up as the summer went along," said Cosi Sandwich Bar President Shep Wainwright. "People like to have the opportunity to sit out on the Plaza and enjoy the quality food and entertainment."
In addition, more established shops and restaurants at the World Trade Center are expanding evening and weekend hours to meet the rising consumer demand.
OnStage! At The Twin Towers featured more than 250 performers this summer - among them four Grammy Award winners and numerous recipients of Country Music Association Awards and American Music Awards. Performers included the Trinity Irish Dance Company, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Earl Klugh, Mitch Ryder and Jose "El Canario" Alberto.
Building on the success of the concert series during previous summers, the World Trade Center added 26 after-hours and weekend shows this summer - including Evening Stars and the new Wednesday night Blues Jam series.
The seventh annual Children's Day on June 12, which featured Elmo, Arthur, Thomas the Tank Engine, Clifford The Big Red Dog and other popular children's characters, attracted 25,000 people to the Plaza - the summer's biggest crowd.
The summer series attracted an unprecedented number of sponsors, including Thirteen/WNET, Y-107, KISS-FM, WNYC-AM, CD 101.9 and Bloomberg Radio.
OnStage! also went online, with more than 200,000 people watching broadcasts of four Country Thursday concerts via the World Wide Web.