According to sources close to one of the businesses on the Coney Island Boardwalk. A few of the major long-standing businesses on the Coney Island boardwalk have been given the boot by operator Zamperla of Luna Park. The list includes: The Grill House, Ruby's Bar & Grill, Tom's Souvenir shop, and Paul's Daughter. No word on Shoot The Freak or Lola Star yet.
The New York Daily News called it judgment day today for the long-standing businesses on the famous Coney Island Boardwalk. Today they were scheduled to receive word whether they would get another lease for next or vacate the premises. According to letter via special delivery to the business operators, they will not be granted a lease for next year and must vacate the premises within two weeks.
It's sad to see some of them go, especially, Rubys' Bar & Grill which has been a staple of the Coney Island boardwalk for so many years. At this moment word buzz has it that Beer Island will be low and dry next year as well.
Zamperla operates the new Luna Park and is also in control of the businesses along the boardwalk. Part of their plan is to bring in a new eat-in restaurant and sports bar to the boardwalk.
update 11/1/10 12:30 pm: Electricia phoned Valerio from Luna Park and got word that Nathan's stand and Lola Star will be coming back.
[NY Daily News article after the jump]
Coney Island Boardwalk businesses to learn whether they will be back on the strip next year
It's judgment day on the Coney Island Boardwalk.Longtime businesses on the strip are set to find out today who will get to come back next year and who will get the boot.
A sitdown restaurant and a sports bar will open on the Boardwalk alongside some - but not all - of the current tenants, said Valerio Ferrari, president of Zamperla USA, the company that controls the seaside attraction. Both will be open year-round.
Ferrari said the Italian amusement giant's Boardwalk plan "will reflect the unique character of America's Playground, while updating and enhancing the landmark for generations of visitors to come."
The 11 businesses along the prime stretch of the Boardwalk have been wondering about their fates since the city tapped Zamperla to open the new Luna Park and take control of the Boardwalk. Their leases expire today.
"There's been no inkling if we're staying or going," said Anthony Berlingieri, owner of Boardwalk attractions Shoot the Freak and Beer Island.
"If your game is to have people come to Coney Island, why wouldn't you want Shoot the Freak or Beer Island?" he said. "They're good for everybody. They're good for Coney Island, they're good for Luna Park, they're good for the city."
The steamy summer brought booming business to Coney merchants and to Luna Park - which extended its season through this weekend and drew 450,000 visitors, officials said.
1 comment:
This is horrible news. I wrote to the CEO asking him to reconsider. People want the vendors tere - we don't want fancy resturants... that's not why we go down to the boardwalk :(
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