By Nicole Breskin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
NOLITA — Shake Shack has abandoned plans to build one of its popular milkshake and hamburger joints in NoLIta, following neighborhood opposition that shook up Danny Meyer's efforts to expand downtown.
The burger empire’s chief executive David Swinghamer announced in a statement on Friday that expansion to 47 Prince St. was a no-go after strong protests from locals.
"We were incredibly excited about investing in such an authentic neighborhood with its bustling retail scene and vibrant street life,” said Swinghamer. “Unfortunately, we could not solve the problem of building something that both made good business sense and was harmonious with the concerns of immediate neighbors.”
NoLIta residents turned out in numbers at a Commnity Board 2 meeting last week to oppose the hamburger joint's wine and liquor license application.
Protestors, who put up flyers around NoLIta saying "Stop the Shake Shack," were fearful the fast food restaurant would lead to more tourists and noise on the quiet block on Prince Street.
Shake Shack began as a hot dog cart in 2002 and took off in popularity when Meyer opened up its first restaurant two years later in Madison Square Park.
It's since expanded across New York, the United States and even into the Middle East. There is a Shake Shack inside Citi Field in Flushing that is always bustling with customers during Mets games.
The company said it still has plans to expand to the Upper East Side and the Theater District, where it's getting a warmer response from locals than in NoLIta.
A rep for the company was not able to confirm whether a new location would be sought in lieu of the NoLIta spot.
