The 4th Quarter Union Square Partnership Business Report, available here, has some interesting updates:

Union Square finished the year strong, with storefront occupancy in the BID1 reaching 91% in Q4 2025 (compared to 85% in Q4 2024). This growth reflects continued   confidence in the district and demand from both national operators and emerging local players. Around Union Square Park, five long-vacant corner storefronts are slated to welcome new business openings in 2026, including global apparel anchor UNIQLO as well as Flight Club and Voodoo Doughnut, both new to NYC.

60 businesses opened in Union Square in 2025 (11 more than in 2024). Q4’s 16 openings ranged from top retailers like Pacsun, Ulta Beauty, and Aritzia (which expanded into a new space three times its previous size), to more intimate establishments like Maison Welles and Stars. Nespresso debuted its 13,000+ SF flagship that merges traditional retail with multi-sensory coffee tastings, interactive masterclasses, and a speakeasy. While Nespresso leads in scale, smaller coffee-forward openings include unique experiences this quarter, including Ioannis Coffee Chef’s “farm-to-cup” workshops and luckin coffee’s tech-driven model. With rising occupancy and a robust tenant pipeline, Union Square enters 2026 primed for an exciting year.

The very trendy and popular Pop Up Bagels has added a new shop at 20 East 16th St. Enjoy.

Soon to arrive on University Place: Mimi’s Frozen Yogurt. It’s Australian, and it’s fancy.

An update from the Farmer’s Market:

The time has come to flex your Winter Warrior muscles! Each year, from January through March, Greenmarkets across the city participate in the Winter Warrior Challenge. If you shop at the market during the coldest months of the year, you can win a prize (and Winter Warrior bragging rights!)!

It’s simple to participate and fun for the whole family! All you need to do is stop by any Greenmarket Market Info Tent to pick up your Winter Warrior card. Then, every time you shop at the Greenmarket between January and March, visit the Info Tent to get your card stamped.

Shop ten times before March 31st and win a small Greenmarket prize plus an entry into our raffle for one of our grand prizes. For details, grand prize announcements, and more, follow us at @unsqgreenmarket on Instagram!

Restaurant Week starts January 20 and includes nine Union Square restaurants, including Reyna in our building.

From January 16-February 16, the north end of Union Square will light up with a nightly light show called Bright Nights Out, and many vendors are offering fun deals to accompany it.

How do you feel about Union Square. The Union Square Partnership does an annual opinion survey to find out. Some thoughts from the results:

FOSTERING A THRIVING ECONOMY IN USQ
USP asked respondents to share the types of businesses
they would like to see in Union Square. Half of respondents
would like to see more cultural institutions (50%),
followed by art galleries/exhibitions (48%), and cafés/
coffee shops (47%). Many respondents mentioned wanting
to see more local businesses — including small, curated
stores, non-chain coffee shops and eateries, and specialty
grocery stores. This feedback highlights a strong community
interest in maintaining a vibrant retail environment in
Union Square rooted in unique, local offerings.

ENHANCING LIVABILITY IN USQ
USP is committed to keeping Union Square clean, safe, and
beautiful. The majority of respondents are satisfied (very
satisfied and somewhat satisfied) across key metrics of
USP’s work enhancing livability. Respondents reported the
highest levels of satisfaction with the landscaping of Union
Square Park (87%), planter landscaping (87%), Broadway Plaza
maintenance (85%), and public seating areas (77%). While
most respondents remain pleased with the district’s upkeep,
some expressed a desire for extended hours and seasonality
for the public seating areas as well as improved lighting,
especially in Union Square Park and surrounding streets.
Following USP’s 2023 launch of the Public Safety Officer
(PSO) program, perceptions of public safety improved by
15 points in the 2024 survey. The 2025 survey results show
that this perception has largely stabilized, with 87% of
respondents noting that their perception of public safety
in USP’s Core Services Area (CSA) has improved or seen
no change over the past year. Moreover, the percent of
respondents reporting concerns around public safety within
the CSA decreased by 15% in 2025 compared to 2024.

Explore 185 vendors!

Hours:
Mon to Fri: 11am to 9pm
Sat: 10am to 9pm
Sun: 11am to 7pm

Market closes at 12/24 at 4 p.m
Closed Thanksgiving Day