A little bit of the South is coming to the North Shore.
The newest lease signed by Empire Outlets is with Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue, a restaurant with several Manhattan locations that borrows barbecue traditions from Texas and the Carolinas.
The new 2,575 square foot restaurant — to be located on the top floor within the 350,000 square-foot retail development being built on the St. George Waterfront by BFC Partners — will specialize in its own style of barbecue, offering menu items, such as brisket, pulled pork, spare ribs, sweet potato casserole and burnt end baked beans.
“We look forward to becoming a part of this unique project and bringing our style of barbecue to Empire Outlets,” said Micha Magid, co-founder of Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue.
Mighty Quinn’s signed the lease with Empire Outlets yesterday, according to Joseph Ferrara, principal of BFC Partners.
“Zagats called them ‘One of the hottest concepts in New York City.’ We are bringing more Manhattan-centric concepts over to Staten Island to create a destination place,” said Ferrara.
“(Mighty Quinn’s BBQ) will be introduced to a worldwide audience as we drive visitors from all over the planet to experience all that Empire has to offer,” he added.
OTHER RESTAURANTS WITH LEASES
The announcement of Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue comes several weeks after the signing of Staten Island’s first artisanal food hall, the Marketplace at Empire Outlets (MRKTPL).
“With Mighty Quinn’s and the Marketplace there will be 40 different dining options at Empire Outlets,” said Ferrara. “We are trying to make this deck (level of the facility) a destination upon itself.”
He said he also has two more leases “in the pipeline that will complement the entertainment element” of the future outlet mall.
The Advance recently learned that Applebees, which initially was to open at the outlets, had been taken off the menu.
Last year, BFC Partners announced that Yong Kang Street, an Asian fusion restaurant with Las Vegas locations, will open a new casual eatery at the retail complex. One fast food option that will be offered at the outlets is Nathan’s Famous.
OTHER LEASES SIGNED
With more than half of Empire Outlets already leased, the project is expected to open in mid-2017.
Two weeks ago, BFC Partners announced that a large-scale jewelry exchange — to be operated by Jewelers on Fifth — had leased space in Empire Outlets.
Other national brands that have signed leases at Empire Outlets include: Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Francesca’s, Starbucks, U.S. Polo, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, White House Black Market, Columbia Sportswear Company, Guess Factory Store, Wilsons Leather, G.H. Bass & Co., Lids, Obey Your Body, Innovation Luggage, Walgreens, Haagen Dazs, and Krispy Kreme.
Located directly adjacent to the St. George Ferry Terminal and the future NY Wheel, the multi-million dollar Empire Outlets project will include 350,000 square feet of prime retail space, a 190-room hotel featuring a rooftop venue with expansive waterfront views, a 1,250-space structured parking garage, and a 40,000-square-foot food and beverage deck that will provide views of the Manhattan skyline.
