Remember those orange roofs? That’s the Howard Johnson’s legacy. Right here on this very spot stood a legendary Times Square Howard Johnson’s. This wasn’t just any roadside diner. This was a New York institution. For almost 50 years this Howard Johnson’s thrived. It served as a vibrant hub for locals and tourists alike. It witnessed the ebb and flow of Times Square’s history. From its glitzy heyday to the grittier years and back again.
The Howard Johnson’s at 46th and Broadway opened in 1955. It was the last of three Howard Johnson’s in Times Square. It survived its siblings. The original was a hole-in-the-wall that employed future stars Lily Tomlin and Gene Hackman. Imagine that. Two future Hollywood icons slinging fries and pouring coffee.
Above the Howard Johnson’s was a dance hall the Orpheum Dance Palace. It was known for its “private dancers” and was shut down in 1964. Later it became a porn theater. Yet below the seedy upstairs the Howard Johnson’s held its own. It maintained its old-school charm. Its orange and brown decor seemed to defy the changes happening around it.
In the 1980s the Howard Johnson’s was a fascinating mix of theatergoers and prostitutes. Even Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller fame used to meet there before heading to midnight movies. The Howard Johnson’s was a place of contrasts. A place where the past and present collided. It was a microcosm of Times Square itself.
By the 1990s Times Square was undergoing a massive makeover. Skyscrapers replaced smaller buildings. The Howard Johnson’s was dwarfed by the new development. But still it stood. This old diner held on for years more. Its location became too valuable. The Howard Johnson’s closed in 2005. It was replaced by an American Eagle Outfitters. A piece of Times Square history was gone. But the memories linger. The memories of that Howard Johnson’s. The delicious cheese fries. The dirty martinis. The unique place where everyone felt at home. That Howard Johnson’s was more than just a restaurant. It was a symbol of a bygone era. It remains a cherished memory for many New Yorkers. A testament to the enduring power of a good diner.