Ale Street News Online

I caught up with Jon Bloostein at his Times Square Heartland Brewery & Chophouse about 30 hours before the ball was due to drop for 2005.

But the reason for the visit was to discuss his new location — the Heartland Brewery and Rotisserie at the Empire State Building. I managed to pin the Entrepreneur- Gone-Crazy down long enough for a few quotes before he invited me next door to see his new, new place?!?

Bloostein was set to take a break after the strenuous process of opening the Empire State location, but suddenly another piece of prime real estate fell in his lap. He couldn't pass up the opportunity to develop the vacated premises adjoining his Chophouse on 43rd Street. By this printing it should be open as Spanky's, serving barbecue and Heartland beer.

Make no mistake, Bloostein's expansions are the result of "real estate opportunities," not some other game plan. He began in 1990, launching the Heartland concept in Union Square. It remains the busiest location. Heartland II opened in 1996 on 6th Ave. in view of Radio City Music Hall. Securing a spot in prime Manhattan real estate just off Times Square, Bloostein opened the Heartland Brewery & Chophouse a few months before 9/11 decimated the Manhattan restaurant scene. He survived the midtown doldrums thanks largely to the original Heartland in Union Square which was busier than ever post 9/11.