ATZ learned that the result of this morning’s Coney Island 8 eviction hearing was another postponement. The case has been postponed till February 16 at the request of Zamperla’s attorneys, who need more time to prepare. At the December 10th hearing, it was the Coney Island 8’s attorney who needed more time to prepare and requested the postponement. It means they need more time to study and respond to the papers served by the other side, so don’t expect to see what today’s NY Post calls a “surf turf war” ending anytime soon.
PS: Did we mention that we have a terrible cold and do not really feel like doing anything except napping? Please send over some homemade chicken soup!
The judge adjourned this morning’s 10 a.m. court hearing for CAI Luna Park’s eviction of the “Coney Island Eight” till January 10, 2011. The postponement was at the request of the CI 8’s attorney Marc Aronson. ATZ was told that a postponement is common at the beginning of a case. We’re not reading anything into it. Not yet.
Does this mean Ruby’s will be open for the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim? We hope so. Otherwise it could be a BYOF (flask AND food) situation. Take a look at our Photo Album: Coney Island Boardwalk, New Year’s Day 2010. It just won’t be a “Happy New Year!” on the Coney Island Boardwalk if Ruby’s is closed on the first day of 2011.
The eight businesses being booted from the Boardwalk are Ruby’s, Cha Cha’s, Paul’s Daughter, Grill House, Gyro Corner, Shoot the Freak, Beer Island and Coney Island Souvenir Shop. Only two of eleven existing Boardwalk businesses –Lola Star Boutique and Nathan’s — were invited back by CAI Luna Park for the 2011 season.
UPDATE… December 13, 2010
Forget Last Call! We hear RUBY’S IS OPENING NEW YEARS DAY 10:30 am till 6 pm to toast in 2011with the Coney Island Polar Bears and you!
UPDATE… December 23, 2010
The Coney Island 8 launched a new website to tell their story. The url is www.coneyisland8.com.
“Predatory developer Thor Equities is evicting small businesses while preparing to demolish the historic Henderson Building…” In this video, you’ll meet two business owners who after 3 decades of operating year-round businesses in the Henderson Building have lost their leases and have to move out.
On Saturday we took a few lousy pix of Popeye’s knowing it would be our last chance. After 27 years in Coney Island, Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits was expected to serve its last supper to customers on Sunday. Today we’re hearing Popeye’s may have gotten a few days reprieve, if you want to head over for a last snack. The Henderson Building at the corner of Surf and Stillwell is one of four lots in Coney Island rezoned last summer for 30-story high rise hotels, which set the stage for the current evictions and demolitions.
The historic building once known as the Henderson Music Hall is slated to be demolished next month. In the video, the business owners comments are punctuated by the drill of machinery. You’ll see workers carrying out asbestos abatement/demolition on the building’s roof without any protection for the people below. (But that’s another story, which ATZ has been reporting.)
Maritza, who has operated the souvenir stand on the Stillwell Ave side of the Henderson building for 30 years, began packing up and moving out on August 11. In the video, she says she got one week’s notice. “When [Thor Equities] makes the new building he promised to give me a 10 year lease, but I don’t know. They’re supposed to talk to me about it, but I’m still here waiting,” Maritza says in the video. After Thor announced demolition plans in April, a rendering was released of a cheesy looking temporary one-story building occupied by hamburger and taco food joints. At the time we thought it was a ploy to get demo permits from the City and put an end to preservationists’ efforts to get approval for an historic district in Coney Island.
Will Popeye’s and Maritza find a spot in Joe Sitt’s future Mall of Coney Island? That depends on whether you think such a thing will ever be built. From where we stand, Joe Sitt is just creating another empty lot in Coney Island to add to his collection of empty lots. If you’re skeptical, we suggest you take a look at what the now decimated Stillwell Avenue looked like before Joe Sitt.
Popeyes Chicken reopened today at 1220 Surf Avenue, a new doors down from their original location, in a building owned by another landlord. The popular fast-food restaurant’s new home is in the Popper Building, which has a distinctive old copper sign that says “Herman Popper & Bro.” and a colorful history. “Relocated Popeyes Set to Open Today in Coney Island,” ATZ, April 10, 2010
UPDATE August 24, 2010:
Popeye’s last chicken dinner will be served tonight! After 27 years at this location, the restaurant will close at midnight. Thirty people, including 20 year-round employees, are now out of work. The owner has until the end of the month to move out his equipment. He hopes to stay in Coney Island and is looking at two locations- one on the south side of Surf Avenue and another on the north side. We wish him luck and hope to see Popeye’s back soon!
Save Coney Island is giving free walking tours every Sunday through the end of September. The tours highlight the four soon-to-be demolished buildings owned by Thor Equities along Surf Avenue as well as some of Coney’s existing landmarks. This Sunday’s guest tour guide will be historian Charles Denson, author of Coney Island: Lost and Found.
Amusing the Zillion 