He’s not backing down.
The proprietor of Jimmy’s Corner, the last remaining dive bar in Times Square, is battling to preserve his father’s boxing-themed establishment against unwelcome pressure from its powerful landlord.
Adam Lee Glenn, 44, recently initiated a lawsuit against the Durst Organization to prevent the eviction of the bar located on West 44th Street, a business operating for over five decades.
The lawsuit claims that Durst officials, aiming to sell the building, are attempting to declare the lease void due to the passing of Jimmy Glenn, the bar’s namesake, in 2020. This feels like a betrayal, given the close friendship he had with former Durst family member, Seymour Durst.
“I always knew progress would come eventually and hoped it was far off,” Adam Glenn expressed. “But I was really hoping, when it did, it would happen in a considerate manner that would benefit us all.”
“It seems like they’ve decided they don’t have to approach this decently. So, I’ve decided if they’re not going to do that, I’m going to resist.”
This unique, hole-in-the-wall bar was established in the early 1970s by Hall of Fame boxing trainer Jimmy Glenn, who adorned its narrow walls with memorabilia celebrating the sport.
He also confronted the grit of Times Square during its rougher days, amid a landscape of adult shops, gangs, and more.
“I take pride in the fact that people still come by, including folks from the building next door,” Adam Glenn noted.
“They often tell me, ‘I lived in Times Square in the 80s, and the only reason I felt safe was because I knew Jimmy was here. Your family watched over us, and that made all the difference.’”
As Times Square transitioned from its seedy past to a tourist hub, Jimmy’s Corner has remained a refuge for both locals and visitors seeking affordable drinks and a slice of history.
“Jimmy’s Bar is one of the last true New York institutions,” remarked Clarence Sessoms III, 36, a regular patron.
“Taking Jimmy’s away means taking a foundational piece of New York with it.”
Dan Dion, 55, a longtime visitor from Nashville, reflected on the welcoming atmosphere. “Everyone fits in here, and even as Times Square has shifted dramatically over the years, this place has maintained its charm,” he remarked. “Honestly, it deserves special recognition.”
According to the lawsuit, Glenn had leased the property from the Durst Company until his death in 1995, at which point another friend, Douglas Durst, took over the dealings.
Douglas’s sibling, Robert Durst, notorious from the HBO documentary “The Jinx” for an apparent confession related to murder, has since been estranged from the family business.
“At various moments, both James Glenn and Seymour and Douglas Durst expressed hopes that their businesses would be passed on to their children,” the lawsuit asserts.
However, it claims the landlords exploited the friendship between the Durst family and the elderly Glenn to rush a lease in 2019 that they’re now using to justify the eviction.
After Jimmy Glenn’s passing due to COVID-19 in 2020, Adam assumed ownership.
This year, issues arose with Durst’s current management, especially when a group of predominantly Black patrons smoked outside. The lawsuit indicates that this was a racially charged decision.
Earlier this year, the landlords allegedly began asserting the lease’s invalidity following Glenn’s death, claiming they could terminate it well before its expected conclusion in 2029.
Claims state that Jimmy Glenn never initiated any amendments to the lease that could erase his family’s legacy.
A spokesperson for the Durst Organization stated that the company has kept the bar operating for many years due to the relationship between the two families.
However, once they decided to sell the property, the spokesperson maintained that their efforts went “beyond” their lease commitments, out of respect for Jimmy Glenn.
“We informed Adam Glenn over a year ago that he needed to vacate the premises, and despite no obligation, we provided him with $250,000 and allowed extended operating hours,” the spokesperson shared. “These efforts haven’t been met with integrity. We genuinely tried to be good neighbors, and it’s disappointing how this has unfolded.”
Adam Glenn anticipates he may eventually have to find a new location for the bar but wants to approach it “the right way.”
“There will always be Jimmy’s Corner in New York, and I’ll find a permanent home,” he affirmed. “But for now, I won’t stop this fight to remain here.”
“We embody old New York. When people visit, they get a taste of what once was, and I love providing an authentic New York experience.”
