Ruby Jacobs Walk at Coney Island Boardwalk. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
On Wednesday in Coney Island, we saw waves of sand on the newly sculpted beach adjacent to Ruby Jacobs Walk. Waves of workers in Parks Department jumpsuits walked by after getting off the job around sunset. On the Boardwalk, a holiday banner at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park announced the news that rides on the Wonder Wheel will be free on Coney Island’s opening day — March 24, 2013. That’s only 107 days away!
Holiday Banner at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island Boardwalk. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
At the original Nathan’s Famous at Surf and Stillwell, a banner says “After 100 Years, No Hurricane Will Get Us Down!” and directs visitors to Nathan’s Bay Ridge location while they are rebuilding. A generator was chugging away on the Bowery side of the store. Nathan’s Boardwalk location, which was expanded last summer and is open seasonally, also had its electrical system knocked out by the storm.
Coney Island Post-Sandy: The original Nathan’s at Surf and Stillwell is Closed Till Spring. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
On Mermaid Avenue, a few more Mom and Pop businesses including Chinese and Spanish restaurants have managed to open. We saw a cell phone shop and barber shop under renovation. At Our Lady of Solace Church parking lot, it was the first day of Chase’s new mobile branch. Along with ATM machines, there’s a tent staffed by community bankers. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm, and on Saturdays from 9am till 3pm. The location will be open until December 17 when a trailer will open at the branch, one of the bankers told ATZ. A few blocks away, a sign on the boarded up Chase branch said: “We apologize that this branch is temporarily closed. We are committed to helping our community after Hurricane Sandy. We will re-open as soon as possible.”
Chase Mobile Branch, Our Lady of Solace Church Parking Lot. Mermaid Avenue, Coney Island. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
An aquamarine and pink notice was posted on the Place To Beach Bar, which is under construction on the Boardwalk adjacent to Scream Zone. The Department of Buildings notice says that it had been “Inspected – No Apparent Structural Hazard.” The bar’s mini- lighthouse appeared to have weathered the storm, too.
Inspected – No Apparent Structural Hazard. Building on Coney Island Boardwalk. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
At the front office of the Brooklyn Cyclones at 1904 Surf Avenue, a sign warned “Do Not Enter STOP Testing in Progress. This Building is Closed to ALL During the Testing Process.” A few doors away, a crew was cleaning up Peggy O’Neill’s Bar.
This Building is Closed to ALL During the Testing Process. 1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
Posted on telephone pole on Mermaid Avenue: A flyer for a December 1st presentation on post-Sandy mold clean-up at Our Lady of Solace Church. “How to identify it. How to treat it. How to protect yourself and family and remove mold safely. What mold remediation services are available.”
Flyer for Mold Clean-Up Presentation. Mermaid Avenue, Coney Island. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
Tom’s Restaurant on the Boardwalk, which is open daily, invites visitors to donate a toy to the Aquarium’s toy drive and receive on ticket to the Bronx Zoo. The event was relocated from the Aquarium, which is closed till June due to storm damage.
Tom’s on the Boardwalk, Coney Island. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
On the south side of Surf Avenue, Popeye’s and Island Grocery are open. Popeye’s is a true survivor. The restaurant’s owner had been in business year-round in Coney Island for 27 years when he lost his lease in the now-demolished Henderson Building at the corner of Surf and Stillwell in 2010. He rebuilt his business in the Popper Building last year. On the north side, the franchises in Stillwell Terminal–Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway, usually open 24 hours, remain closed. The Bank of America in the terminal has been cleaned and new walls and ATMs were installed but it’s not yet open. Workers were hauling debris out of the police station.
Open for Business: Popeye’s and Island Grocery, Surf Avenue. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
Also on the north side of Surf, The Coney Island Bar and Grill, formerly Bratva Bar, is open from 5pm with live music on Saturday by FRWG–Fried Rice and The White Guys.
Open for Business: Coney Island Bar & Grill, Surf Avenue at 12th Street. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr
Related posts on ATZ…
November 24, 2012: Coney Island Post-Sandy: A Few Stores Reopen, Most Delayed by Damage
November 21, 2012: Coney Island Post-Sandy: Flooded Spook-A-Rama to Get New Stunts
November 20, 2012: Coney Island Post-Sandy: Mini-Golf or Roller Rink to Replace Denny’s?
November 9, 2012: Update on Coney Island’s Amusement Area After Sandy
Amusing the Zillion 