Tony's Pizzeria Out - Subway In

Construction is underway at 13 South Broadway in Tarrytown – the establishment, formerly home to Tony's Pizzeria, is slated to become a Subway Restaurant.

The storefront has been empty since Tony's Pizzeria closed in October of 2009 due to nonpayment of sales tax totaling over $172,000. The pizzeria had been a longtime favorite of local residents.

Similar to Tony's, Subway will have "minor, incidental seating," according to Michael McGarvey, Tarrytown's Village Engineer. He estimated around three tables would fit comfortably in the space.

However, news that Subway would be coming to Tarrytown received mixed reviews from local residents.

Dr. Howard Bloom, who commutes to Tarrytown from the Bronx to work as a dentist, now eats at Cassano's Pizza Trattoria, also on Broadway. He thinks the small town atmosphere is more conducive to mom & pop type restaurants, rather than franchises like Subway.

"People don't want a chain here," he said. "This town is sleepy and quaint; it just won't work well."

Elizabeth Davis, a Tarrytown resident, wasn't thrilled about the news either.

"If I want a sandwich, I can just make it at home," she said.

Glenn, a student at Sleepy Hollow Middle School, had been a fan of Tony's, but said he's "not really a Subway person."

His friend Joey, also a middle school student, said he'll try Subway when it opens, and thought having the restaurant around would be "pretty cool."

Mona, who declined to give her last name, also lives in Tarrytown. She is primarily concerned with the corporate issue, and stated she prefers the stores and restaurants to stay local.

"Next is Starbucks, and next is Barnes and Noble," she said, unhappily.

Davis and Mona also mentioned that the Main Street and Broadway intersection might become clogged with people parking at the bus stop to visit Subway, as some often do when patronizing 7-Eleven.

"Parking is a really big problem," said Mona. However, The village said that parking concerns aren't going to be an issue.

"It's part of the restricted retail district, which includes parts of Broadway and Main Street," he explained. "They're allowed to have five parking spaces as a right."

McGarvey also mentioned Subway had asked to install a neon sign in their proposal, but the request was turned down by the village.

"They have to come for a separate sign approval," he said. "No one has permission to have a neon sign."

McGarvey estimated the interior construction of the storefront "shouldn't be all that long" given the equipment needed to renovate is standard and the layout is not being altered significantly. The restaurant will open immediately following the completion of the construction.