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Will this be the first of many college campus Shake Shacks? Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group announced plans today to open a Shake Shack in New Haven, Connecticut, across from the New Haven Green and near Yale's Old Campus. Incidentally, the new location also happens to be around the corner from Louis' Lunch, considered by many to be the birthplace of the hamburger. Interesting. This will be Shake Shack's second Connecticut location — with one already in Westport — but first time going Ivy League. Per a release, "[f]all 2012 marks the start of the Shack-ademic calendar."
The press release:
SHAKE SHACK’S IVY LEAGUE DEBUT!
OPENING IN NEW HAVEN, CT, FALL 2012NYC’s Beloved Burger, Hot Dog and Frozen Custard Stand to Plant Roots in New Haven
Friday, March 2, 2012 New York – Welcome Class of 2016! Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) plans to bring its Shake Shack to New Haven in 2012. One of NYC’s most beloved gathering places, Shake Shack is a modern day "roadside" burger stand known for its delicious burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more.
Shake Shack’s New Haven home will be centrally located at 986 Chapel Street, across from the New Haven Green and kitty-corner to Yale’s Old Campus. Fall 2012 marks the start of the Shack-ademic calendar, with the new location opening its doors just as students return to campus.
"We are delighted to welcome Shake Shack to New Haven," said Abigail Rider, Director of University Properties. "Shake Shack is an excellent addition to the many dining options that New Haven offers and will attract diners from the City and beyond to Chapel Street."“My colleagues and I are proud to bring Shake Shack to New Haven,” said Danny Meyer, CEO of USHG. “We are incredibly excited to establish roots in this food-loving, bustling city – which some even say is the birthplace of the hamburger. New Haven is staging a thrilling urban renaissance and we are excited for the opportunity to join this community as employers and citizens.”
The New Haven Shake Shack will build upon the popular success of seven siblings throughout New York City –as well as locations in Miami Beach, Washington, DC (Dupont Circle & Nationals Park), Saratoga Race Course, NY, and Westport, CT. Additionally, Shake Shack has locations in Dubai, UAE, and Kuwait City.
Shake Shack was born from a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park created by Union Square Hospitality Group to support the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s first art installation “I ?Taxi.” The cart was a success and lines formed daily, so it re-opened for an additional two summers in 2002 and 2003. In July 2004 USHG was awarded the contract from New York City’s Department of Parks & Recreation and the Madison Square Park Conservancy to create a permanent food kiosk in the park. Shake Shack opened and instantly became a NYC institution with a loyal following, receiving numerous accolades from the press including The New York Times (One Star), Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Magazine, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Food Network and The TODAY Show among others, and was voted one of the Most Popular Restaurants in New York according to Zagat.
Shake Shack is part of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), which includes several of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 (located at The Museum of Modern Art), El Verano Taquería and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, Untitled at the Whitney Museum of American Art, as well as Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient, a learning business. USHG is best known for its blend of excellent food and its unique style of warm hospitality. Actively involved in the community, USHG and its employees are committed to extending its enlightened hospitality beyond the walls of its restaurants through its support of hunger relief and civic organizations as well as other causes. Meyer, his restaurants, and chefs have earned an unprecedented 24 James Beard Awards, as well as numerous other media accolades. Six restaurants the company has established are included in Zagat’s list of the Most Popular Restaurants in NYC, including the #1, 3 and 5 spots. www.ushgnyc.com.
