Supporters Rally for Commercial Rent Stabilization to Save Jimmy's Corner

Activists and lawmakers push Albany to pass bill that would cap rent hikes and guarantee renewals for small businesses.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:11pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a vintage boxing glove, a worn leather bar stool, and a neon sign reading 'Jimmy's Corner' arranged elegantly on a clean, grey seamless background, conceptually representing the abstract concepts of small business displacement and the fight to preserve neighborhood character.As small businesses face rising rents and the threat of displacement, the fight to save an iconic Times Square bar underscores the broader struggle to preserve neighborhood character.NYC Today

Supporters of a proposed commercial rent-stabilization law rallied outside the Durst Organization's Times Square offices, using the fight to save the iconic Jimmy's Corner bar as an example of the need for the legislation. The crowd of regulars, neighborhood activists, and local elected officials pressed Albany to pass S.8319, a bill that would create a Commercial Rent Guidelines Board to set maximum annual rent increases and give small businesses default lease renewal terms.

Why it matters

The fight over Jimmy's Corner highlights the broader struggle of small, independent businesses in New York City to stay afloat as landlords raise rents and push them out in favor of more lucrative tenants. Proponents argue the rent-stabilization bill would protect neighborhood anchors, while opponents warn it could chill investment and trigger legal battles.

The details

The rally was organized around S.8319/A.5568, a pair of bills that would cap unaffordable rent hikes, guarantee lease renewal rights, and add penalties for overcharges and tenant harassment. Jimmy's Corner, a boxing-themed bar that has operated in Times Square since the 1970s, has become a test case for the legislation. The Durst Organization moved to end the bar's tenancy after the death of founder Jimmy Glenn, and owner Adam Glenn sued to block the lease termination and preserve his rights.

  • The rally took place on Friday, April 10, 2026 outside the Durst Organization's Times Square offices.
  • Adam Glenn, the owner of Jimmy's Corner, filed a lawsuit in December 2025 to block the lease termination and preserve his rights.

The players

Adam Glenn

The owner of Jimmy's Corner, a boxing-themed bar that has operated in Times Square since the 1970s.

Durst Organization

The landlord that moved to end the tenancy of Jimmy's Corner after the death of founder Jimmy Glenn.

Julia Salazar

A New York State Senator who spoke at the rally in support of the commercial rent-stabilization bill.

Emily Gallagher

A New York State Assemblymember who spoke at the rally in support of the commercial rent-stabilization bill.

The Business Council of New York State

A trade group that has publicly opposed the commercial rent-stabilization bill and raised concerns about its potential impact on investment and property rights.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The outcome of Adam Glenn's lawsuit against the Durst Organization will help determine whether longtime independent businesses can confidently rely on negotiated lease terms or remain vulnerable to redevelopment pressure. The fate of the commercial rent-stabilization bill in Albany will also shape the future of small businesses like Jimmy's Corner.

The takeaway

This case highlights the broader struggle of small, independent businesses in New York City to stay afloat as landlords raise rents and push them out. The proposed commercial rent-stabilization law aims to protect neighborhood anchors, but opponents warn it could lead to legal battles and chill investment.