CityPickle in Times Square (1501 Broadway, 8th Floor) – CityPickle just opened its flagship location at Times Square inside the Paramount Building, where New Yorkers can play and connect year-round through America’s fastest-growing sport.
CityPickle Co-Founders Mary Cannon and Erica Desai
Spanning 37,000 square feet, the flagship features 18-foot ceilings, seven professional-grade pickleball courts, a full-service bar and restaurant, lounge and event spaces, and more. Co-Founders and entrepreneurs Mary Cannon and Erica Desai first became partners on the tennis court and independently fell in love with pickleball and wanted to share their passion for the sport. Follow on Instagram @CityPickle.
Lupe Rivas, Owner of Margon Restaurant
Margon Restaurant (136 W 46th St) – Lupe Rivas is the owner of Margon Restaurant, an intimate and casual eatery serving up authentic Cuban and Dominican cuisine since 1970. As a family-run business, Lupe works with her extended family as part of her staff, from her cousins, nephews, nieces, and others to help operate the small business. She has had the same loyal customers for over 30 years, as well as many of the same menu items including the fan favorite Cuban sandwich with roast pork, Swiss cheese, salami, ham, pickles, mayo, mustard and hot sauce – toasted on the grill, complemented by Cuban coffee that often comes with a dash of cinnamon.
Jasmine Gerald of Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine
Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine (371 W 46th St) – Jasmine Gerald is the founder of Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine, located on Restaurant Row. With vibrant décor, Jasmine’s features a menu inspired by the cuisine of Dominica, Antigua, St. Thomas, Trinidad, and Jamaica with recipes that have been handed down from generations within their family. Guests are transported to island paradise right in Times Square. Follow on Instagram @JasmineCaribbeanCuisine.
Carmen Verdugo, Owner of Liberty Center Tattoo Shop
Liberty Center Tattoo Shop (136 W 46th St) – Owner and Chilean native Carmen Verdugo grew up with an interest in pursuing the arts. She came to New York in 2016, and after the pandemic, she got her tattoo license and joined the staff at Times Square Tattoo, where she worked for four years. With the encouragement of her husband, Verdugo opened Liberty Center Tattoo Shop in November 2023. She has since inked people from around the world with tattoos ranging from NYC icons, flash tattoos, and custom designs. Follow on Instagram @LibertyCenterTattooShop.
Gladys Bank and Kelly Peters, Co-Founders of Brickhouse NYC
Brickhouse NYC (156 W 44th St) – Co-Owner Gladys Bank co-founded Brickhouse NYC with one of her daughter’s professional dance instructors, Kelly Peters, to teach, preserve, and expand authentic hip hop culture. As NYC’s premiere urban dance and training studio, Brickhouse NYC offers training to all ages and skill levels in a variety of urban dance styles, including breaking, popping, house, locking and today’s cutting-edge choreography. Many students have performed with icons including Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, and Madonna, and have been accepted to dance programs at top universities including Duke, Boston College, and Pace University. Follow on Instagram @BrickHouse.NYC.
Pulperia (338 West 46th Street), Latin Mediterranean restaurant, will host a women’s appreciation dinner on March 19, where a portion of the proceeds with go to a women-focused nonprofit. Follow @Pulperiatheaterdistrict for more specifics and updates.
For more information, go to the Times Square Alliance website.
Top Bigstock photo by travelview
Other photos courtesy of the individual businesses.
