Arcade Sign, Thor Equities Building at Surf and Stillwell in Coney Island, July 23, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita
At the Alliance for Coney Island Gala last Thursday, ATZ stopped by Thor Equities’ table to network. Seriously, it was a great opportunity to find out the answer to a question that’s been on our mind since last season. Will there be arcade machines in Thor’s retail building this year? The building has gorgeously lit, expensive signage for two arcades where there’s nothing but “Retail Space for Lease” signs. As we’ve noted previously, it makes a mockery of the City’s 2009 rezoning requiring a percentage of amusements on the property. The dummy arcades are our pet peeve.
Good news! Glenn Vogel, Director of Leasing for Thor Equities told ATZ that one of the two arcades had been leased and will open for business this spring. The reason the arcades were not previously leased, despite many inquiries, was that Thor wanted to put something new and different in the space, Vogel explained. We promised to be the first one there to play on the arcade’s opening day!
BurgerFi Cheeseburger. Photo via BurgerFi Facebook
The other piece of news that Vogel was able to confirm is the rumor that’s been floating around Coney Island that BurgerFi is coming to the Stillwell Avenue side of Thor’s building. The Delray Beach, Florida-based burger and hot dog chain has reportedly leased the vacant store between Brooklyn Rock and the Brooklyn Nets, which will put them right across the street from Nathan’s and around the corner from a Johnny Rockets. Thor’s building’s roof deck, which hasn’t been used with the exception of a private party last summer, is part of the deal.
Launched in 2011, BurgerFi now has 62 locations, including franchisees. According to their franchising FAQs:
Our natural burgers are a healthful, wholesome and guilt free indulgence made from fresh, never frozen natural Angus beef that is hormone and antibiotic free and raised humanly to create the best tasting burger possible. All beef dogs, real dairy fresh frozen custard and fresh cut fries, as well as craft beer and wine, are all served up in our urban hip design setting.
BurgerFi is the latest national chain to come to the new Coney Island. Back in 2012, ATZ asked “Will Coney Island’s Surf Ave Become a Mecca for Franchises?” (December 19, 2012). Clearly, the answer is yes. Like attracts like. In 2014, Johnny Rockets, Red Mango, Rita’s Italian Ice and Subway Cafe, which are currently under construction, are expected to join It’Sugar, Applebee’s, Popeye’s, Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins and Subway on the main drag of Coney’s amusement district. Also on Surf and in a category unto themselves are Nathan’s original 1916 store, which is a year-round magnet for tourists, and Brooklyn-grown Grimaldi’s Pizzeria.
Related posts on ATZ…
January 3, 2014: New Year, New Franchise: Rita’s Italian Ice Coming to Coney Island
September 11, 2013: Subway Cafe to Replace Furniture Store on Coney Island’s Surf Ave
April 11, 2013: Thor’s Coney Island: Wampum Clothing & Skate Pop-Up to Open in May
February 13, 2013: Thor’s Coney Island: Candy Retailer It’Sugar to Open Surf Ave Store
Amusing the Zillion 
Beautiful! Thank you! We are getting there…….
Yeah, yeah, Thor’s arcade. Now how soon can we get rid of that dumb-ass Nets Gear store, where there are usually more employees than customers?
Hmmm, I wonder if there will be Thor video games in Thor’s arcade
[…] $650K more 3 days later [Brick Underground] Building to not become condos, for once [Brownstoner] Coney Island is getting arcades. But also another burger chain [Amusing the Zillion] We are drinking a ton of Blue Moon and PBR […]