Artichoke Basille's Pizza To Open At Empire Outlets - New York City's Only Outlet Center

The highly anticipated Artichoke Basille's Pizza, the largest and fastest growing New York pizza concept, and a popular New York City institution since first opening in the East Village in 2008, will open its first Staten Island location at Empire Outlets, New York City's first and only retail outlet center. Artichoke's new restaurant, located alongside 100 designer retailers and steps from the Staten Island Ferry, is expected to draw millions of New York City residents and tourists each year.

This is a homecoming of sorts for Artichoke co-founders and cousins Francis Garcia and Sal Basille, who first learned the food business at their family's Staten Island restaurant, Basille's, before inventing their own unique style of "authentic New York pizza." In fact, they even wrote a cookbook, "Staten Italy," available on Amazon, and their namesake Artichoke Pie, which has taken the city by storm with its unique combination of artichoke hearts, spinach, cream sauce, mozzarella and pecorino romano, was first conceived at the family's Staten Island restaurant Basille's and inspired Fran and Sal to open their own concept. Since opening the first Artichoke Basille's on Manhattan's 14 th Street, the cousins have expanded to 12 restaurants across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens; Berkeley, California; and Miami, Florida's South Beach.

"Francis and Sal have an unequaled passion for family, friends, and great food, and we're so proud that they'll be bringing their world-class pizza back to Staten Island by joining Empire Outlets," said Joseph Ferrara, principal of BFC Partners, developer of Empire Outlets. "Artichoke Basille's has an incredibly committed fan base that has made it clear they want to see Francis and Sal come home to Staten Island, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be part of their homecoming. We look forward to making Empire Outlets one of the city's top shopping and dining destinations with the help of some of NYC's finest brands, like Artichoke."

"It's an exciting venture to be opening an Artichoke Basille's Pizza in Staten Island, where our passion for pizza and admiration for the culinary and restaurant industries all started," said Francis Garcia.

"We've been swiftly expanding the brand, and to open a location in Staten Island is a natural choice. We're finally coming back home," added Sal Basille.

Artichoke Basille's Pizza will join Empire Outlets' diverse group of dining options curated by Michael Brais of Douglas Elliman Commercial, includingShake Shack, Wasabi Steak & Sushi, Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, Nathan's Famous, and MRKTPL, Staten Island's first-ever artisanal food hall.

MRKTPL, a 12,723-square-footartisanal food hall with a 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining space, will include a curated selection of more than 30 diverse and unique concepts that showcase the best local and international purveyors in an elegant environment. This best-in-class culinary fare will attract and impress foodies visiting from across the world and cement Empire Outlets as an unmatched dining destination.

Located adjacent to the St. George Ferry Terminal, Empire Outlets will feature over 100 designer outlet retailers, a boutique hotel with a rooftop venue and a 1,250-space parking garage. Major retailers at the center already includeH&M, Nordstrom Rack, Banana Republic, Gap Factory and Columbia Sporting Goods, among others. Eateries are flocking to Empire Outlets' 40,000-square-foot food and beverage deck, which will provide unique views of Manhattan and an unmatched experience for visitors.

The majority of Empire Outlets' retail and restaurant spaces are already leased and BFC Partners is actively in discussions with several prominent tenants for the balance of the lifestyle center.

Empire Outlets is expected to open in Fall 2018.

About Empire Outlets
BFC Partners' Empire Outlets will be an approximately 340,000 square foot retail complex, comprised of 100 designer outlet retailers and a variety of restaurants and cafes. Plans also include an upscale boutique hotel that will provide extraordinary views of the Manhattan skyline. BFC Partners will also build a 1,250-space structured parking garage below the retail and hotel components to accommodate commuters and tourists alike. Designed by SHoP Architects, Empire Outlets will feature expansive open corridors to the water, contemporary materials reflective of the industrial waterfront, and a sweeping sustainable green roof visible from the harbor. Celebratory vertical circulation elements such as grand staircases, elevators, and streamlined escalators will guide shoppers as they move from the waterfront up to Richmond Terrace, creating a dynamic and easily navigated pedestrian experience. For more information about Empire Outlets New York City, please visit www.empireoutletsnyc.com. Find us on Twitter @EmpireOutlets and on Instagram at @empireoutlets.

About Artichoke Basille's Pizza
Artichoke Basille's Pizza is a modern pizza restaurant, featuring "authentic" New York pizza, which uses thicker dough and offers an array of toppings and artisan flavors, based in New York City. Founded by cousins and best friends, Francis Garcia and Sal Basille, Artichoke Basille's Pizza serves pizza classics in a fast casual and affordable settings. Named "Best Pizza" in the New York Post's list of the '11 Best Late Night Food Spots in NYC' and 'Top 5 Slices in the 5 Boroughs' by CBS New York, Artichoke Basille's Pizza has earned a reputation in New York and beyond for its never-ending lines and frequent celebrity sightings. The brand currently has 12 units open and is currently franchising across the nation. For more information, menu, and locations visit www.ArtichokePizza.com. For information about franchising opportunities, visit http://go.fransmart.com/artichokepizza.

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SOURCE Empire Outlets

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