I liked the old Times Square because it had old theaters that were ripped down and replaced with ugly skyscrapers and giant neon lights that would embarrass Tokyo. I hate those giant box stores selling garbage from Disney. Where’s the old Drama Book Store?! I do love that they saved and refurbished the amazing New Amsterdam theater, though. In the old days, Times Square had good, inexpensive Chinese and kitschy Hawaiian/Tropical restaurants and newspaper kiosks that sold magazines from around the world and, yes, the occasional nut menacing moviegoers at the Criterian with a machete. I was a witness to that one. As my NYer brother always says about the new Times Square: Mr. Potter won.
But I’ll forgive Mr. Guiliani for that if he’ll just run again.
I still lament the loss of Tad’s Steakhouse. The last Tad’s on 34th street shut its door in December, 2012.