In the middle of the Mayhem subway of the Rockefeller Center of New York City, CJ – Correll Jones, has become as robust a presence as the iconic square that the guests have welcomed for the last 23 years.
That is why his business card says: “Mayor of Rockefeller Center”.
Just as their title requires, CJ spends their days ensuring that things work smoothly and people are happy to run for the complex of 19 commercial buildings that cover 22 hectares between 48 Street and Midtown Manhattan Street.
He spends the days walking through the Rockefeller Center with his smile of one hundred Watts in gray dress and goal hat, greeting those who work in the area, helping tourists where they go and make sure that everyone in the people are safe and satisfied.
A New York icon
Jones, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, where he still resides, began his career as a healthy college club in 1983.
It is there that Rob Speyer, the CEO of the real estate firm Tishman Speyer, who owns the Rockefeller Center, met Jones and offered him a job on the street in 2002.
“He saw something in me that he didn’t even see me. And he stole me from the club. And then he took me here to Rockefeller Center,” Jones told The Post.
“I want you to know that I think it was one of the best movements I have been able to do in my whole life.”
He has always spent his days walking around the center, ensuring that everyone comes from where they have to go with a smile on their face. On Monday to Friday, he arrives at the subway at 8:30 am and heads towards the Missus at 17:45, during the holiday season, he also works some weekends.
“This is the center of the world,” says Jones. “It’s a unique place.”
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Of course, Rockefeller Center hosts shows such as “Saturnay Night Live”, “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Today Show”.
But when asked about the celebrities he has to see clearly daily, he accidentally confirms Kenan Thompson, Jimmy Fallon, Hoda Kotb and Roker as good friends, but he leaves.
He even considered Roker the Deputy Director of Rockefeller Center in 2021 when the journalist shaded him for a segment.
“I think he got a glance,” said Jones.
He has been presented to the “Today Show”, “The Tonight Show” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show”, the latter he provided and another 200 New York doors five days and four nights in Santa Lucia.
“Oh, you know I went,” he confirmed. “This was one of the most beautiful things I’ve worked here.”
He admitted that he has received countless invitations from his great profile profession, but do not usually deal with a brilliant agreement.
“I do not stick my neck anywhere, unless there is a free ticket,” he set aside.
Jones does not really get Startruck and the breezes go through most questions about the A. It’s so happy to chat with a tourist and help them find the subway as a stepping on a sound stage.
“The best of this job is when you help someone and give them good directions, or take their photo, and then return a year or two years or three years later, and they say,” You know, I remember. “Things like that, it’s a gift,” Jones said.
However, he was proud to show a photo of former President Bill Clinton who nailed him to his back.
Jones recalled that he had known the ex -a boss, but he was hit when he asked for him.
“He left the building and asked,” Where is CJ? “And he stopped and took a picture of me and put my hand on my shoulder,” he shared. It was honored that the “charismatic” public figure stopped to chat with him for about 15 minutes and stirred the guards who tried to keep him in motion.
“And then he went down the Fifth Avenue, and I had to be like,” He was the president who walked around Fifth Avenue. “
Toast of the city
Most Huff and Puff neoyorcan people on avoiding popular tourist attraction, especially during the holidays, but in recent years they have been transformed and the mayor likes to see it.
Above all, Jones appreciates seeing the fear that brings to those who see it for the first time nearby.
“There is so much excitement here that I do not think there is another place like this. I tell the people who sometimes give it of course, but to see the faces of people who have never been in New York and they have never been in the rock center when they look and say,” Wow, “is the excitement for me,” he said.
“What is the unique of this job is that you see a new tourist every day, and then see the glitter in his eyes because of how only this building is or how clean is this city.”
And for the disapproval of most New Yorkers – and many of his collaborators – he believes that only the Christmas tree is more magical.
He is the face that everyone knows: you just have to stay by their side for five minutes and let it see the number of people who stop to say it. Everyone seems to be brighter than the Christmas tree when they see Jones.
To pay tribute to his legacy, he has just taken a drink with his name to the newly open pebble bar on the court, the outdoor bar that opens next to the Prometheus statue: Jones’s favorite piece of art in the area.
Delicious drink, a $ 80 dollaria pitcher for four, will be served at the seasonal bar throughout the summer.
“It’s very crazy,” Jones said. “To sit and take a drink and take a photo with Prometheus, you can’t go wrong.”
“I will take the missus to come and try the drink. I am also telling all my tenants and my tourists and everyone who knows the rock Center for.”
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Image Source : nypost.com