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Out With the Old in Coney Island: Only 2 of 11 Boardwalk Businesses Invited Back

Posted in Real Estate, Redevelopment, tagged Boardwalk, Cha-Cha's, Coney Island, Luna Park, Ruby's, Zamperla on November 1, 2010| 29 Comments »

Gyro Corner on the Boardwalk in Coney Island. October 31, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

We’re still in shock and will have more to say in the coming days. It’s like a mass wake on the Coney Island Boardwalk at the moment. The funeral will be this weekend…It’s goodbye Ruby’s, Cha Cha’s, Paul’s Daughter, Grill House, Gyro Corner, Shoot the Freak, Beer Island, Pio Pio Riko and Coney Island Souvenir Shop. After hearing the news from folks on the Boardwalk that the venerable Ruby’s and several others were out, ATZ phoned Zamperla USA/CAI CEO Valerio Ferrari for confirmation. It’s shocking but true: the only two existing Boardwalk businesses invited back are Nathan’s and Lola Star Boutique. These lucky survivors will be offered a 9-year lease. The other nine businesses will become part of Coney Island history, unless the City helps them relocate in the neighborhood.

Ruby's, Coney Island. October 31, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

“They didn’t have the vision that we have for the Boardwalk,” Ferrari told ATZ. “It’s a business decision.” He says Zamperla/CAI’s vision is to revitalize the Boardwalk by making it a lively place open 365 days a year. But it’s also a matter of investment dollars. Luna Park is investing $1.4 million in a new restaurant at the corner of Surf and 10th Street, formerly occupied by Gregory & Paul’s. A Boardwalk restaurant/bar hoping to get a lease renewal would have had to make a million dollar investment as well, Ferrari said.

Made with Love: Signage at Paul's Daughter, Coney Island. October 31, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Where Cha Cha’s is located there will be a year-round restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with upscale food. Ruby’s and the Souvenir Shop will be replaced by a huge sports bar. Ferrari says they have letters of intent from the companies that will bring in the bar and restaurant, but was not ready to reveal the names of the restaurateurs.

Last night, ATZ was on the Boardwalk taking photos of the vernacular signage and gritty authenticity of Ruby’s, Cha Cha’s, Paul’s Daughter, Shoot the Freak, and the other Boardwalk businesses. It was the last day of the 2010 season. As it turns out, it’s the last day period. The businesses have two weeks to vacate the premises they’ve occupied for 7, 20 and in one case 40 years.

It seems to us that Seth Pinsky of the NYCEDC has some explaining to do. As ATZ reported last year in “Ciao Coney Island! Will Ruby’s, Shoot the Freak, Astrotower & Other Oldies Survive?” (December 18, 2009)…

Before the RFP release, Shoot the Freak’s Anthony Berlingieri made headlines when he appeared at the City’s press conference on the land buy and posed the question directly to Mayor Bloomberg: “Is there a place for us?” NYCEDC President Seth Pinsky gave a diplomatic reply: “Our intention is for the foreseeable future to keep all the tenants in place, certainly through next summer. And we’re going to be looking to work with each of you to figure out where it makes sense for the various tenants to remain as we build out the amusement park.”

UPDATE… November 3, 2010: Friends of Ruby’s Bar Launch Petition, Plan Nov 6 Rally

Last Drink at Ruby's Bar, Coney Island. October 31, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita

Halloween in Coney Island: Snapshots of Luna Park’s Nights of Horror

Posted in amusement park, Events, Photo Album, tagged Coney Island, Halloween, haunted event, Luna Park, Nights of Horror on October 18, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Timothy Haskell, Nights of Horror creator, with one of his spooky characters. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

Timothy Haskell, Nights of Horror mastermind, with one of his spooky fiends. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

When it comes to spooky characters popping out of dark corners at a haunted attraction, ATZ is a well-known scaredy cat. We made sure to arrive well before dark on opening night of Luna Park Coney Island’s Nights of Horror. The Halloween festivities, which are scheduled till midnight, were about to get started at 5 pm. At the Surf Avenue gate, we spied theater director and Nights of Horror mastermind Timothy Haskell with one of his fiends. Ax in hand, the fiend offered us a fresh brain. We politely declined and hurried over to get our wristband.

Haunted games at Luna Park's Nights of Horror. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Spooky characters kept popping out from behind bales of hay as we made our way through the park. Our friend Stan Fox warned us, “Don’t turn around.” The ride and game operators were also costumed for Nights of Horror, except they don’t wear masks. Photography is not permitted within the maze. We’ll have to tell you about it without giving too much away! It was fun. Being a scaredy cat, we screamed a lot. Then we laughed hysterically..

Spooky character at Luna Park Nights of Horror. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Seven of the rides on the Boardwalk side of the park have been incorporated into the maze. They spin continuously during the event without any people aboard. Something was amiss though. They were haunted! A couple of games within the maze have also undergone a ghoulish transformation. As a longtime game operator, this was probably our favorite part of the maze. We really cannot say any more! You’ll have to go and see for yourself…

Riding the Circus Coaster at dusk. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Nights of Horror is a ticketed event. It costs $25 in advance or online, $30 at the gate, and $20 with ID for college or high school students, military, NYPD, FDNY and EMS. The price includes one-time access to the haunted maze and unlimited access to 12 rides. Among the rides are the Brooklyn Flyer, Air Race, Electro Spin, Eclipse, Tickler Coaster, Circus Coaster, Lynn’s Trapeze, Hang Glider and Water Flume. One of our friends rode the Circus Coaster 20 times! Keep in mind that Halloween season will be your last chance to enjoy Coney Island’s rides in 2010. After October 31, the rides don’t open again until Palm Sunday, which is April 17, 2011.

Halloween Treats at Luna Park. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Halloween treats include candy floss, popcorn, S’Mores, hot chocolate and apple cider. Luna Park’s seasonal menu also includes chili and roasted corn.

Uh oh…it’s getting dark….Caution: strobe lights and fog effects ahead!

Favorite spookiest character at Luna Park Nights of Horror. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Say hello to our fave spooky character of the first Night of Horror. This petite creature sneaked up on us in front of the Electro Spin. She had a delightfully creepy prop in her hand–a doll’s severed hand–and was slyly adept at wielding it. By the time our friend had finished his ride, she’d completely charmed us.

Luna Park, 1000 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, 718-373-LUNA (5862). Nights of Horror runs every Friday and Saturday from 5 pm-12 am and on Sundays from 5-10 pm through October 31.

Coney Island to Get Flying Coaster from Denver’s Elitch Gardens

Posted in Amusement ride, Redevelopment, tagged American Eagle, Elitch Gardens, flying coaster, Luna Park, Volare, Zamperla on October 17, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The coaster that NY1 described last week as a “new, cutting-edge roller coaster” coming to Coney Island may be relocating from a park in Denver. Theme park website Screamscape reported on Saturday that the Flying Coaster from Elitch Gardens was bought back by Zamperla with the intention of refurbishing it and installing it in Coney Island in 2011.

Zamperla calls the coaster the Volare, which means “to fly” in Italian. The Elitch Gardens coaster was a prototype that made its debut in May 2002. The ride has been SBNO (standing but not operating) since 2008 and since the cars were removed coaster fans have been tweeting that it’s headed for Luna Park. The Coney Island Rumor Mill had speculated for months that the Elitch Gardens coaster would come to Coney. Zamperla flying coasters can also be found at Rye Playland (“Super Flight”), Canada’s Wonderland (“Time Warp”), Vienna’s Wiener Prater, Genting Theme Park in Malaysia and Kaeson Youth Park in North Korea, among others.

Last month, ATZ attended a panel discussion in which Zamperla USA’s CEO Valerio Ferrari unveiled a rendering of the flying coaster “American Eagle” aka the Volare in a presentation about new rides slated for Coney Island’s Scream Zone. Zamperla/CAI’s Scream Zone will be located on “Parcels B & C, ” the City-owned property at Stillwell and the Boardwalk.

When Scream Zone is completed, Coney will have four of the 12 variations of coasters shown on Zamperla’s website: Luna Park already has Zamperla’s Twister Coaster (“The Tickler”) and Speedy Coaster (“Circus Coaster”). In addition to the Volare, Scream Zone will have a Pony Express-configured Moto Coaster (“Steeplechase Cavalry Coaster”).The thrill park is expected to open in 2011.

Zamperla's American Eagle Coaster aka The Volare will be the second coaster in Coney Island's Scream Zone. Photo © Jim McDonnell via smugmug

According to Elitch Gardens’ original press release for the flying coaster in March 2002: “If you’ve always wanted to skydive or hang glide…or just want a unique thrill that is really out of this world this is it. This one-of-a-kind thrill is perfect for Guests who want to be the first in the world to experience a ride like this. They’ll flat out FLY!”