Not true. The review stimulated business and the place lasted five more years after the review.
No bad review stimulates business except for a couple of aholes who visit to see if the food is as bad as Pete Wells says it is. If you doubt me, look at the stupid comments on the Times article.
What propelled it to a five year success (not too bad by NYC standards) was Guy Fieri’s popular tv shows. It appealed to tourists who love to hang around Times Square. Why, I don’t know. But as a second year culinary student, I am a fan of Guy.