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Meet Sodexo: Luna Park Coney Island’s Partner for “On-Site Service Solutions”

Posted in Food & Drink, Redevelopment, tagged Boardwalk, Coney Island, Luna Park, Sodexo, Zamperla on November 23, 2010| 5 Comments »

Sodexo Kiosk at Luna Park Coney Island. May 31, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

If you had Fresh Fruit Fresca, Dippin’ Dots, Coke or any other food or beverage at Luna Park Coney Island this summer, you were experiencing the “Quality of Daily Life Solutions” of Sodexo, one of the world’s largest food and facilities management companies. Zamperla’s new Luna Park was one of Sodexo’s “wins” in 2010, though the partnership is certainly news to the public since it wasn’t mentioned at any of the NYCEDC/Luna Park press conferences.

In addition to managing the kiosks in Luna Park, Sodexo’s involvement extends to planning and running the restaurant currently under construction at Surf and 10th Street in the Gregory & Paul’s location which closed two years ago. Luna Park CEO Valerio Ferrari told ATZ that $1.4 million is being invested in the new sit-down restaurant. It will be open year-round and feature waiter service and a variety of food. As for the Boardwalk, Sodexo-run restaurants are set to take over “some but not all” of the Boardwalk locations, Ferrari says, including Paul’s Daughter and Pio Pio Riko, which flank the Boardwalk entrance to Luna Park.

In May, a Sodexo manager posted news of the win on the company’s Facebook career page: “Sodexo is excited to announce the newest addition to our Leisure account portfolio is none other than Coney Island. We look forward to a wonderful partnership!” Luna Park Coney Island is also listed in Sodexo’s third quarter press release. It is Sodexo Operations LLC’s name on the liquor license at 1000 Surf Avenue. And if you look up Dippin’ Dots retail locations for 11224 on their website, you’ll find the listing Sodexo Inc – Luna Park @ Coney Island.

Sodexo Careers Page on Facebook: "Sodexo is excited to announce the newest addition to our Leisure account portofolio is none other than Coney Island. We look forward to a wonderful partnership!"

Though Sodexo’s partnership with Luna Park may be news to New Yorkers, the company’s presence was known within Coney Island. The Sodexo rep setting up the food service for Luna was a gregarious fellow who introduced himself to people working in neighboring businesses. It wasn’t till mid-summer, when some Boardwalk business owners who’d never heard of Sodexo received a visit from the rep asking details about their business and leaving his card, that some began to ask who is Sodexo?

Founded in France in 1966 by Pierre Bellon with a single dining room, the company now has more than 350,000 employees on 30,600 sites in 80 countries. According to the company’s official bio: “In North America, Sodexo Inc has 7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees and Sodexo serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government, and remote sites.” Sodexo is an acronym that comes from a French phrase, Societe d’Exploitation Hoteliete, which means a company of service and hospitality. In 2009, “Food and Facilities Management Services” became “On-site Service Solutions.”

Sodexo Kiosk at Luna Park Coney Island. May 31, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

According to the Leisure and Entertainment page of the company website….

Sodexo is a global leader in providing guest and facilities services to museums, zoos, aquariums, historic properties, sports venues, and more.

While you focus on your core business and mission, we create and offer a wide array of services specific to your venue that enhance your guests’ experience. A few examples of our services:

Guest Services, Restaurants & Dining
Catering & Special Events
Gift Shops & Retail
Vending

Facilities Services, Planning & Assessment
Operations & Maintenance
Landscaping & Grounds
Housekeeping & Custodial
Construction Services
Unarmed Security

Sodexo Kiosk at Luna Park Coney Island. May 31, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Wherever people come together, Sodexo matches the menu to the venue and creates a truly unique dining experience for your guests. We feature fresh, seasonal cuisine presented in a style appropriate to your venue and to creating a truly memorable dining experience. Our customized services will maximize participation and guest satisfaction.

From fine dining at our museums, aquariums, and historic properties to elegant tea rooms in botanic gardens to family meals or high volume concessions at your zoo or arena, we have the perfect solution.

Halloween Treats at Luna Park Coney Island. October 15, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

After the Boardwalk businesses received the November 1st notice to “vacate the premises” from Luna Park/CAI, Cha Cha’s told the blog Grub Street that “a French company that was handling Central Amusement’s food and beverage program asked him to submit a business plan and he did so, promising to spend half a million dollars turning his dive into ‘the lost city of Atlantis, with live music and entertainment and food.’ ” Another Boardwalk owner told us he was promised a multi-year lease by the Sodexo rep and was asked to sell some of their products. The business owners, now known as “The Coney Island 8,” are going to court to try and hold onto their longtime spots on the Boardwalk. A plan has also been floated to relocate the evicted businesses to the north side of Surf Avenue.

UPDATE March 31, 2013:

Surf’s Up for CAI Foods in Coney Island, Sodexo Is Out. Sodexo’s departure had long been rumored and is something to cheer about. According to the partnership agreement, after 3 years either party was free to terminate the lease, with CAI having to reimburse the remaining value of Sodexo’s initial investment, with interest.

Ruby’s Parties On, Rubys Host To Celebrate Birthday at Bratva

Posted in Events, Food & Drink, tagged Bratva Bar, Coney Island, Ruby's Bar, Rubys Host on November 19, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Ruby's Rally, Party & Last Call. November 6, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The venerable Ruby’s Bar & Grill, which was evicted by new kid on the Boardwalk Luna Park, is partying on! Word comes from Rubys Host that Ruby’s will be open one mo’ time on Saturday, November 20, though they were supposed to “vacate the premises” by today. Cheers to the headline on Grub Street: “Ruby’s Digs Nails Into Boardwalk, Opens Past Move-Out Date.”

Beer will be served from 11 till 7 pm for final last call X 3. Robert “Bluesman” Ross, who wowed us at previous shows at Cha Cha’s and Coney Island USA, will be singing the blues on the Boardwalk in front of Ruby’s from 1 till 4 pm. Drink up, because all proceeds go toward the Save Ruby’s Fund. The legal wrangling will begin in court on Monday, when a judge will be asked to sign an Order to Show Cause to prevent the eviction of Ruby’s and 7 other Boardwalk Mom & Pops. The proceedings are expected to drag on for some time. Other businesses fighting the eviction are Cha Cha’s, Paul’s Daughter, Grill House, Gyro Corner, Shoot the Freak, Beer Island and Coney Island Souvenir Shop.

Ruby's Rally, Party & Last Call. November 6, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

On Sunday at 3pm, Rubys Host will celebrate her birthday at Bratva, the new Russian bar on the north side of Surf Avenue. “I moved my B-day party to Bratva on Sunday after the Bears swim – u should come by – 3 pm – live music etc,” says the invite. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Paul Sanchez of Coney Island band Neptune Jam is playing till 7 pm.

Bratva Bar is an upscale sports bar and restaurant across the street from Coney Island USA and down the block from the new Luna Park. Does Luna’s management, which plans to replace Ruby’s with an upscale year-round sports bar, realize the neighborhood already has a new upscale year-round sports bar? The north side has long been considered the wrong side of Surf for seasonal amusements since it gets very little foot traffic. But year-round bars and restaurants such as Footprints Cafe seem to do fine. Bratva opened this summer: “We’re a casual lounge owned for and by good old friends and welcome you to join us for beer, cocktails and a wide range of American pub and Russian-style snacks and meals. We’re major motorcycle enthusiasts, but our bar is not a a biker clubhouse. It is a place to meet new friends and have a good time.”

Ruby's Rally, Party & Last Call. November 6, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

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On Coney Island Boardwalk, Ruby’s & Cha Cha’s Rock This Fall

Posted in Favorites, Food & Drink, tagged Bluesman Robert Ross, Cha Cha's Club, Coney Island, House Band, John Thomas, JT, Neptune Jam, Ruby's Bar & Gril, Rubyshost on September 17, 2010| 3 Comments »

Ruby's Bar & Grill, Coney Island. May 28, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

According to our copy of The Old Carny Almanac, the first day of fall arrives on Wednesday, September 22, at precisely 11:09 pm Eastern Time. Our days of standing behind a counter and calling people in are over until the whole crazy business starts up again next spring. Meanwhile, on the Coney Island Boardwalk, the legendary dive bars Ruby’s and Cha Cha’s rock on.

Anthony Latorre of Neptune Jam at Cha Cha's. August 1, 2010. Photo © Coney Gal/Mindy via flickr

Cha Cha’s, “Home of Wild Women and Wise Guys,” stays open through Halloween, but they keep their decorations up year round. Ruby’s last day of the season is November 21, says Rubyshost, who is tending bar on weekdays from around 10:30 in the morn. “We are now getting into our favorite time at the beach,” she says. “Hot sunny days and cool nights with friends on the boardwalk. On Wednesdays till Oct 27th, Ruby’s will have live music from 5 to 8:30 pm. The beer will be ice cold and the sausages will be hot. Come on out relax with friends at Sundown on the Boardwalk.”

Last night the place was packed. “Had a great fun crowd– a few regulars but a lot of European tourists,” says Rubyshost. “I could have gone till 11 but we were all tired so we closed at 9:30. Paul Sanchez of Neptune Jam will be back every Wednesday evening at Ruby’s with acoustic music. He does a l’il jazz – reggae – country – blues – a bit of everything,”

Robert “Bluesman” Ross and friends have upcoming gigs at both Ruby’s (October date TBA) and Cha Cha’s (October 15th)

Hank 'Coyote' Wagner on harmonica & Robert 'Bluesman' Ross on Guitar. Photo © 2010 Norman Blake. All Rights Reserved

Here’s Ruby’s schedule. We recommend confirming time and date with Ruby’s Facebook page or the Coney Island Fun Guide event calendar.

Sept 12 – Every Sunday after about 4 pm – Coney Island band Neptune Jam will be playing at Rubys through ~~Nov 21st,~~Oct 31st, the last day Ruby’s is open this season. The Polar Bear Club begins their winter swims on Sundays in November, too. As daylight changes the time for band will move up slightly. There may be some Sundays they are at Grill House instead.

Sept 22 Wed, 5 – 8:30 pm – The House Band featuring: Mermaid Hawley, Lady Minerva, Lina Moon, & Finkadelic on vocals & glitter; Alan “Fuego” Nunez on percussion & squeezebox; G Laundry on vocals & baritone guitar; Hank “Coyote” Wagner on harmonica & vocals, & Robert “Bluesman” Ross on guitar, & vocals. UPDATE: Will be rescheduled due to JT’s wake and funeral being week of Sept 20. October date TBA.
October 23, Saturday, Grill Out Party, 2:30 PM
October 31, Halloween, End of Season Closing Party

Here’s Cha Cha’s schedule. There is no cover but that may change for certain bands

Sept 16, Thurs – Karaoke with Amethyst
Sept 18, Sat- Mel “Guitar” Williams
Sept 19, Sun – Richie Lupo & Changes
Sept 23, Thurs – Karaoke with Amethyst
Sept 24, Sat – James Brown Jr “Saxman”
Sept 25, Sat – Rick & Nassau Chainsaw Benefit
Oct 2, Sat – Rock Against Dystrophy Concert
Oct 15, Fri – Robert “Bluesman” Ross & Blues Manian (rescheduled from Sept 12)
Oct 16, Sat – The Rockinghams
Oct 17,Sun – Tribute to JT – All Day Jam Session from 3pm
Oct 31, Sun, Haloween Party with Killer Joe & the Warriors, from 2pm

The sad news of the passing of JT-John Thomas– longtime manager of Cha Cha’s and its predecessor Club Atlantis– was first reported on Cha Cha’s blog and sent out via email…

JT on Easter Sunday 2009 in Coney Island: Boardwalk Closed for Reconstruction, "Cha Cha's Bar is open!" Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Recently we learned of JT’s passing on Sept 10, 2010 mid afternoon. JT was the GM/ Club Promoter for Cha Cha’s in Coney Island the past several years but was also the Manager of Club Atlantis back in the day. He would welcome all strangers to Coney with stories of the past and show you where Danny Dreher got his start singing DooWop on the boardwalk. His stories of the Ghost that live in the basement of Club Atlantis that came alive every Halloween will continue to be told to new visitors.

We will update with Funeral arrangements once they have been finalized. Possibly the week of Sept 20th – in Coney Island, NY. For more info call Cha Chas Club – 718-946-1305 or check on Facebook Fan Page.

After Ruby’s closes on November 21 with a post-Polar Bear swim birthday bash for Rubyshost, the next time you can belly up to the bar will be New Year’s Day 2011. Owner Michael Sarrel is confident the bar will be open as usual during the January 1, 2011 Polar Bear Swim, Rubyshost told ATZ. That’s good to hear because Ruby’s and Cha Cha’s are among the 11 Boardwalk businesses required to submit business plans to qualify for a lease with new landlord Luna Park/CAI. The Coney Island Rumor Mill is all over the place on this one: some folks say the majority of the businesses will be back, others claim that only a couple of them will return. Who knows? Personally we can’t imagine anybody not renewing the lease of a bar that was voted the 14th sexiest beach bar in the world by the Travel Channel.

Outside Ruby's Bar on New Year's Day, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The Coney Island Rumor Mill has been sayin’ since last spring that some or all of the Boardwalk buildings will be torn down to make way for the new Scream Zone. According to the rumor, the buildings would be replaced by new ones. The only reason we even mention it is this could be the last season for Ruby’s and Cha Cha’s as we know them. The vintage photos and kitschy memorabilia could be in completely new digs by spring 2011! Go while you can and savor the last days of the 2010 season, which seems destined to go down in history as the first year of Coney’s re-birth.