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It's not easy to stand out in the glitz and glitter that is New York City's Times Square, but Irwin S. Kruger, president of ISK Manhattan Inc., has managed to do so. The McDonald's franchisee has a 17,000-square-foot unit that holds its own among the theaters and eateries that grace legendary 42nd Street.
Kruger also has six other units strategically placed throughout Manhattan. "Our first restaurant opened 32 years ago across from Madison Square Garden," Kruger proudly states. He eventually opened three more units near the famous sports venue as well as two by Rockefeller Center-home to ice skaters and the world-famous Christmas tree.
Dynamic Duo
Asa Candler who was instrumental in bottling Coca-Cola once owned the Times Square building. In 1888 he purchased the rights to make a tonic and headache remedy using CocaCola. "He figured out how to get the syrup and soda water into a bottle and get it distributed," states Kruger.
The former Candler Building was developed as an office building with retailers on the ground floor says Kruger. "As time went on seedy shops came in with commercial office space above," he adds.
Like Being Backstage
When Kruger took over the building it was just sheetrock walls and a cement floor. "We put in everything," he says.
His objective was to develop a restaurant that looked like it belonged to the neighborhood. "We wanted to make it entertaining as well because of the location at Broadway and 42nd Street," he adds.
With theater marquees peppering the surrounding...