Thank you to Paul Georgoulakos and his family and staff for more than 40 years of service to Coney Island. Here’s our slide show from November 13th’s “Thank You Coney Island! We Love You” party along with additional images.
Writing about the closing of Paul’s Daughter, formerly known as Gregory & Paul’s, is so overwhelmingly sad that we keep postponing it. We keep hoping the Coney Island Rumor Mill has it right this time and the rumors that some or all of the evicted Boardwalk businesses will get one to three year leases from Luna Park turn out to be more than wishful thinking. The legal wrangling begins in court on Monday.
Paul Georgoulakos behind the counter on Paul's Daughter's last day. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
The evicted business owners and their attorney will be rallying on the Boardwalk on Monday at 2 pm. A politician is expected to show up. We can’t say the pol’s name, but considering the absolute silence from officials since November 1st’s Monday Morning Massacre, a politician’s support would be news. UPDATE... ATZ learned that the event previously described to us as a “rally” and which we were unable to attend was actually a meeting on the Boardwalk in front of the Grill House. In attendance were the business owners, their attorney and a politician, as well as the press and bystanders. The pol was State Senator Carl Kruger, who said “Coney Island should be evolution not revolution” and promised to fight for their cause. Watch News 12 Brooklyn at 5 pm for a report and check Rich Calder’s blog in the NY Post.
When Mayor Bloomberg visited Coney Island this season, we’re told that he posed for a photo with 81-year- old Paul Georgoulakos. If somebody would send us the photo, we’ll gladly post it with an appropriate caption: @MikeBloomberg: Please show respect for Coney Island’s elders & renew Boardwalk leases. In the meantime, call 311 or 212-NEW YORK outside of NYC and leave a comment for the Mayor.
The Best French Fries in Coney Island. Paul's Daughter on the Boardwalk. November 13, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
Paul’s hand-cut french fries are the best in all of Coney Island–yes, better than Nathan’s! Our fondess for G & P’s fries is linked in our memory to Gregory’s appearance in the lede of our travel feature for Islands Magazine in 2000. Color photos of Coney’s characteristic “Shish-Kabob Hot Dog French Fries” signage were splashed across the pages along with pix of the Wonder Wheel and the Mermaid Parade. “Greetings from Coney Island!” was published in the Best Beaches Issue along with Thailand, Greece, Kauai, Puerto Rico and Bermuda! A sticker proudly proclaiming “Coney Island NYC” appeared on the cover of issues for sale in New York.
Here’s the beginning of the story…
Last summer in Coney Island, I discovered that a freshly-spun cotton candy from Gregory and Paul’s was my equivalent of Proust’s madeleine. I was waiting for my order of crinkle-cut, Coney Island-style french fries, when the sight of cotton candy being turned out by a deft hand caught my eye. One, two, three twirls round a paper cone — and it was done. But instead of handing the confection to the fellow who was putting the finished products into clear plastic bags, Gregory handed it to me.
“How did you know I wanted one?” I was incredulous.
“I could see it in your face,” the canny showman explained.
He was right. Though it never would have occurred to me to eat cotton candy as an appetizer to french fries, that’s exactly what I did at Coney Island that day. And blissfully. The moment the magical stuff began to melt on my tongue, I was transported back to the little New England carnivals of the 1950s and ’60s, when I was a carny kid who had the run of the midway, and “floss,” as we called it—along with french fries, hot dogs, popcorn and snowcones — was everyday fare.
Cotton Candy, Saltwater Taffy and Hand-painted Signs at Paul's Daughter. November 6, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
When the magazine came out in December 2000, Coney was on the cusp of a renaissance. Now it’s come to this: out with the old-timers and the quintessential Coney Island eateries and every little bit of authenticity. Why can’t old and new co-exist in the new Coney Island?
Last French Fry. Paul's Daughter 'Thank You Coney Island" Party. November 13, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
Related posts on ATZ…
December 9, 2011: Paul’s Daughter Signs 8-Year Lease for Coney Island Boardwalk
November 13, 2011: The End of Paul’s Daughter As We Know It–Will They Return?
October 13, 2011: Photo of the Day: Coney Island Americana Looking for New Beach
November 1, 2010: Out With the Old in Coney Island: Only 2 of 11 Boardwalk Businesses Invited Back
Amusing the Zillion 
Keeping our fingers crossed for the survival of old Coney Island as new Coney grows. Crazy and just plain wrong to get rid of the people who have kept it alive through the lean years.
Thank you for keeping fingers crossed. Important to keep up hope and support our local Mom & Pops!
I do hope that all of you have made those comments to all those in office [including the czar mayor] I even wrote Weiner. sent message to Rachel Maddow. Ruby’s is asking if anyone can reach local tv news; necessary to keep the noise high. My letter to Marty:
Dear Marty: Official lack of response over Coney’s decimation is disturbing. The boardwalk destruction along with ALL its history is devastating! Bloomberg’s NYC vision is his alone. The Czar doesn’t care what WE want. He’s said he wants to make NY a luxury city; practically has. Meanwhile the rest of us little guys, are getting royally screwed; we’re the working stiffs who keep the life’s blood of this city pumping. Officials treat us as tho’ we don’t matter; that our desires don’t matter; that our history doesn’t matter. IT MATTERS TO US!
You said you’re “reaching out to the mayor.” What the heck does that mean? It sounds like political talk; a lot of words w/no meaning. We know about the mayor’s back room arm twisting. Has he blackmailed you into silence & non-action? You haven’t had the decency to address the situation. Basically, you’ve just left us hanging
WE EXPECT YOU TO STAND STRONG & FIGHT FOR US! Nonaction is contrary to the platform you ran on & why you were voted into office. What’s the point of voting if those elected just keep dumping on us? You need to quit appeasing ‘them!’ I am disappointed, hurt & discouraged.
What have you to say to us?
; November 19, 2010 askmarty@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Thanks for this, Tricia
Whereas it is sad to lose parts of Coney Island’s past, many of these businesses were just plan lousy. The food at most of the places in Coney Island is terrible. And the photos of Ruby’s when it first opened show how far it has fallen. A dive has a certain amount of charm, but it is about time that Coney Island got a bit of sprucing up. I’m sorry that these businesses are feeling the pinch, but they have done NOTHING through the years to improve the quality of what they offer the public. The game is changing out in Coney Island and if these businesses are not up to the challenges, then it is their fault.