51-02 Northern Blvd., where the former Pizza Hut in place appears to have closed. (Photo: Queens Post)
Jan. 8, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez
The Pizza Hut located within the Tower Square shopping complex has closed.
The pizza chain, which occupied the historic trolley barn building since the 1990s, appears to have closed within the past couple of weeks, according to several businesses in the multi-store complex.
The store has been boarded up from the inside, with a sign posted to the door directing Woodside Pizza Hut customers to locations in Maspeth and Rego Park. It is unclear, however, why the location closed, or if the closure is temporary or permanent.
Photo: Queens Post
The Pizza Hut opened inside the tower structure shortly after the Ciampa Organization, the Flushing-based developer behind the Tower Square Shopping Center, began building out the complex in the late 1980s.
The developer originally planned to demolish the three-story structure, once a terminal for the New York and Queens County Railway, but gave up plans after staunch opposition from local residents and preservationists eager to save the two depot towers built in 1896.
Ciampa did not immediately respond to questions about the Pizza Hut closure and future plans for the trolley depot site.
27 Comments
When will the clock be repaired? It has not worked for years.
The tower clock hasn’t been working since late 1988. Why can’t it be fixed?
Gorgeous building. Too bad the developments we’ve seen in LIC from the Ciampa organization are horrendous and a waste of space. Yellow brick. Have you no taste or decency?
I heard you l heard you
Happy New Year to all. Amazing story about saving the Tower from the wrecking ball. Sorry to lose Pizza Hut. As for any upcoming “Condos at the Towers”, please, let’s not give them any ideas, lol. I still can’t imagine this building complex that is planned for the quiet nearby block where Popeye’s is.
Just leave it alone. It looks nice as a focal point. Stop knocking everything down.
Landmarked? Why? Because it’s old? Having a Pizza Hut in a landmarked building is insulting to the building.
The building is not landmarked.
The space is too small for most any business and that parking lot is a nightmare most of the time.
Maybe a good spot for a mini Queens history kiosk explaining what the tower was, and some real public restrooms (rather than Starbucks)?
Read it and weep. What I personally witnessed way back in ’87.. See the tower on the right in the photo? The bulldozer hit that tower once to bring it down. It actually shook from the blow. I led the protestors into the pile of rubble to get the operator to cease striking the tower bricks. He got off the bulldozer and kept saying he had a job to do and was being paid for the demolition. Indeed, as the NY Times link mentions, then, in the very nick of time, Norman the Landmarks guy showed up and the Building Department was issuing the citation for the unlawful use of the bulldozer. A true dance on the edge of the knife! The Ciampas eventually were made aware of the history of the building and decided to leave the towers up and convert it into retail space. Can you imagine they even then had the brilliant idea – after trying to knock the towers down – to call the shopping center “Tower Square”?! The Borough President Shulman eventually gave the Ciampa Organization some kind of preservation award, but, alas, no award to the activists who really preserved the towers and the waiting room facade.
Photomat is returning to that location.
The Mayor has plans to turn the trolley barn structure into a homeless shelter.
Ironically I’m writing this as I’m thinking about ordering Dominos 😉
Why would you order garbage pizza in the city with the best pizza in the world
Who in their right mind that lives in the area will drive to Maspeth and Rego Park now for a Pizza Hut pie? Plenty of pizza options in the area. I Came here once with my little nephew who wanted to eat a personal pan pizza. Took 25 minutes for them to have it ready when nobody was even ahead of us in line!
Is not that structure
a Landmark ?
#HandsOff
Richie V
The Rebel Activist
of Jackson Hts
They were an incredibly hard working crew that worked there but the space was too small for them which affected the food quality and wait times.
Can’t agree with you more
I’m a big fan of yours, “Cheeks.”
I hope the building finds a new purpose. It’s a reminder of the days when trolleys were king.
Though I gotta say, we stop going to this place when their pizza at this location always gave everyone the runs.
Welcome to the new Condos at Tower Square the newest luxury residence in Woodside.
Just sad
will this space be going on the market to rent?
When was the last time anyone actually ordered from this place. I remember reading yelp/google reviews, they were horrible.
Here comes Amazon Hut.
they are not allowed to demolish this it is landmarked
It’s not officially landmarked.