Chipotle, a fast-food Mexican chain that prides itself on its organically raised ingredients, opened its fifth Manhattan location on Wednesday. The opening was preceded by a fundraiser for the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council held on Tuesday night.
The store, located at 2 Broadway between Stone and Beaver Sts., is the first one to be located Downtown. Real estate manager Marc Frankel said the location was chosen because it draws office workers, tourists and residents. “Lunch is our bread and butter,” said Frankel, “so we’ll try to choose something that will give us a good lunch crowd but that can also expand to dinner and weekends once we’ve been around for awhile. We chose Broadway because you have the tourists walking past and it’s also centrally located for people who live on Battery Place or other side streets.”
Chipotle, which began in Denver and has since spread to 22 states with 350 restaurants, tries to have a fundraiser at each individual opening, said spokesperson Katherine Smith. “We try to do one at everyone opening because it helps us become a part of the community as quickly as possible.”
Smith said that they have raised as much as $5,000 at a fundraiser, but that on Tuesday, due to the weather, only ended up with $1,300. “It could have been better,” said Smith, “there was a torrential downpour and the performance art group that L.M.C.C. asked to come, TRYST, couldn’t make it. But we did have about 250 people, who each made at least a $5 donation
Chipotle Mexican Grill is located on 2 Broadway. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. For more information call (212) 344-0941
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