Coney Island Update: New Arcade, No-Go for Zito’s, Tom’s Construction Saga

July 2, 2012 by Tricia

Luna Park’s New Arcade on Surf Avenue. June 30, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

These photos taken over the weekend in Coney Island show what’s new since our last report (“New Club Atlantis, MegaWhirl Ride Open in Coney Island,” ATZ, June 25) as well as ongoing construction on Jones Walk and the Boardwalk. As previously reported, Luna Park’s new state-of-the-art arcade, which takes only Luna cards, opened on Surf Avenue in the former Astroland Arcade. There were too many people crowded out front on Mermaid Day to get a good shot of this fantabulous Wizard of Oz crane and claw machine. What a showpiece! Selling for $50,000, the new, movie-themed moneymaker from Belgian manufacturer Elaut is the first-ever automatic coin pusher and the highest priced arcade machine of its kind in the world.

Under Construction: East Side of Jones Walk. June 29, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The east side of Jones Walk was leased to Luna Park in the spring after the City evicted longtime tenants and issued a Request for Proposals. Word on the street is that the first new stand, a Laser Maze, is expected to debut on July 4, with the rest of the stalls ready to open by mid- to late July. Four of the stands are expected to be games operated by Zamperla and four were leased to subtenants for food and shops, according to sources.

Word also that Zito’s Sandwich Shoppe of Park Slope, which recently expanded to a second location in the North Slope, will not be coming to Coney Island’s Jones Walk as announced in April. That’s disappointing because we were looking forward to picnicking on the Boardwalk with their chicken parm.

ATZ phoned Zito’s Marcello Bucca for confirmation. “Word on the street is correct,” he said. “They were not ready for us.” He said that Zamperla received financing at the end of June, later than they expected, thus delaying construction. The rehabbed Jones Walk stalls were originally slated to open on Memorial Day. Asked if Zito’s Sandwich Shoppe planned to open a location in Coney Island next season, Marcello said he hoped so, because so many people have been calling to ask about the new Coney Island location. “Ideally we’ll see what opens up. Right now it’s a no-go for this year.”

Under Construction: Tom’s Restaurant, Coney Island Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue. June 29, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The gut rehab by Tom’s Restaurant of Prospect Heights of the Boardwalk store at the corner of Stillwell Avenue is still underway. By the looks of the construction, it won’t be ready till late July, if then. The former location of Nathan’s and Cha Cha’s Club Atlantis (as well as the original Club Atlantis) required by far the most work and investment of any of the rehabbed Boardwalk stores. Due to structural issues, the place had to be completely gutted and rebuilt, including the roof and some of the brickwork. Windows were installed in the west wall. A new roof deck for alfresco dining will have spectacular views of the beach and boardwalk. When completed, Tom’s initially expects to remain open approximately nine months of the year.

Since Memorial Day Weekend, Tom’s has had a tent set up on weekends in front of their future restaurant. You can buy Hot Dogs, Sausage and more adventurous fare like Shrimp Scampi and a Shrimp Chipotle Salad Sandwich, as well as cold drinks.

Across Stillwell Avenue, construction is also underway on Zamperla’s Place to Beach Bar, which is adjacent to Scream Zone’s new Sky Coaster and Go-Karts. The site is the former Steve’s Grill House and Beer Island.

Yay for Ray’s Basketball on Coney Island’s Bowery! His concession stand is no longer “fenced off” and will be able to do biz on 4th of July. Ray finally managed to open on Friday for the first time this season after the chain link fence next to his awning was opened. City regulations had kept the fences closed, even after Cha Cha’s Steeplechase Park opened last weekend. Note the portable fencing placed in front of the basketball game, probably as per the letter of the law.