A
n estimated 90,000 people pass through the subway concourse at 59th Street-Columbus Circle
daily, making its turnstiles among the busiest in the city. In April, the midtown Manhattan hub
opened a 325-foot-long underground marketplace called, appropriately, TurnStyle. The mezzanine
passageway holds 39 venues, of which 20 sell food or beverages. With the exception of a few big brands such
as Starbucks and Lush cosmetics, most of the retailers are small, local businesses with a proven concept.
Most people don't expect to find an array of fresh and fun foods
in the New York subway, but this new venture in the Columbus Circle
station is offering just that—no MetroCard fare required.
BY JULIE BESONEN
TurnStyle: Manhattan's New
Underground Specialty Market
PHOTOS: MICHELLE KAWKA
Susan Fine, developer of TurnStyle
50 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com
retailer profle