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Posts Tagged ‘Sandy’

Nathan’s on Coney Island Boardwalk to Open Mid-March, Surf Ave by May

Posted in Food & Drink, Photography, tagged Boardwalk, Coney Island, Coney Island 2013, hot dog, Jim McDonnell, Nathan's, Nathan's Famous, Sandy, Tom's Restaurant on March 4, 2013| 2 Comments »

Post-Sandy Reconstruction: Nathan’s Famous on Surf Avenue. March 2, 2013. Photo © Jim McDonnell

The first Nathan’s hot dogs and french fries to be served in Coney Island since Sandy struck more than four months ago are on the horizon. In two weeks, the famous franks will be back on the Boardwalk! Nathan’s Boardwalk location, which expanded last season and suffered less damage from Sandy than the Surf Avenue store, is set to open in mid-March. One source tells ATZ the Nathan’s Boardwalk store will open on March 16, a Saturday, while another says March 18. Either way, we’ll let you know ASAP. UPDATE 1:35pm: ATZ confirmed with Nathan’s Corporate Office that the official opening date of their Boardwalk restaurant will be Monday, March 18th.

Over the weekend, the gut rehab at Nathan’s Famous original location on Surf Avenue continued with workers ripping out the counter and steel shutters, as seen in the above photo by Jim McDonnell. The interior as well as electrical and plumbing were ruined by the flood water and sewage that surged into the store during Superstorm Sandy. Sources tell ATZ the target date for completing the work and reopening Nathan’s main store at Surf and Stillwell Avenues is Memorial Day Weekend.

Ahead of March 24’s Opening Day for Coney Island’s amusement rides, some of Nathan’s neighbors on the Boardwalk such as Brooklyn Beach Shop, Nathan’s Gift Shop, and Ruby’s Bar and Grill have already been open “by chance” and expect to open on the weekend of March 16th. Lola Star Boutique and Paul’s Daughter are set to open on Palm Sunday Weekend. Tom’s Restaurant, which has been serving breakfast and lunch all winter, was exceptionally crowded over the weekend. Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy, who eats there every Sunday said, “Today we got the last table and they were holding people at the door.” Spring is in the wings and the crowds are coming back to Coney!

UPDATE March 7, 2013:

Nathan’s and Major League Eating announced they will hold the first qualifier for the 2013 Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday, March 23, at 1 pm, at the Boardwalk restaurant as part of opening-weekend celebrations for Coney Island.

Coney Island’s 24-Hour Dunkin Donuts to Reopen in March

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Dunkin Donuts, renovation, Sandy, Stillwell Terminal, Superstorm Sandy on February 27, 2013| 1 Comment »

Rebuilding After Sandy: Mario Tuna, owner of Dunkin Donuts in Stillwell Terminal, Coney Island. February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

On an average weekday in February, nearly 12,000 people swipe their MetroCards at Coney Island’s Stillwell Terminal, the terminus for the D, F, N and Q lines, but there’s no place to stop and get a cup of coffee since Sandy. Unless you count the food truck at the Stillwell Avenue entrance. Four months after flooding and sewage ravaged the terminal during SuperStorm Sandy, the 24-hour Dunkin’ Donuts at Surf and Stillwell remains closed. On Friday we talked with Mario Tuna, the location’s franchisee, who happened to be painting the orange trim when we passed by. “We’re having a grand re-opening around March 15,” he told ATZ. The rehab of the store has been underway since January.

Painting in Progress. February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins first opened in the reconstructed subway terminal in 2009. Due to extensive storm damage, the restaurant had to be completely renovated from the floor up and will get all new equipment. The cost of repairs is the responsibility of the franchisee, Tuna said. After Sandy, the stores that have managed to reopen in Stillwell Terminal are Subway, which is open 24 hours, and the newsstand. Neither of them sell coffee. The Bank of America’s ATMs have also been replaced.

Seasonal shops such as Lola Star Boutique, Brooklyn Beach Shop and two other gift shops in Stillwell Terminal also suffered damage and remain closed. Coney Island Gourmet Shop/Magic Gyro has not been been touched and essentially looks like it did in the days after the storm. McDonald’s on Stillwell and Mermaid Avenues, which was also open 24 hours, remains boarded up and closed but the majority of stores on Mermaid have reopened.

Dunkin Donuts Renovation: New floors, walls. January 30, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Photo Album: February Is a Mixed Bag in Coney Island

Posted in Photo Album, Photography, tagged arcade game, beach, candy apples, Coney Island, Sandy on February 25, 2013| 2 Comments »

Temporary Sand Dunes on Coney Island Beach. February 17, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

In February, we photographed Coney Island’s shifting sand dunes, ruined arcade machines, newly painted ride cars and freshly dipped candy apples. With 28 days till the amusement area’s traditional Palm Sunday opener on March 24th, everyone is busier than usual getting ready as post-Sandy recovery continues in the People’s Playground.

Coney Island Beach: Sand Dunes, 21st Street. February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The temporary sand dunes of West 15th Street have been sifted and trucked back to the beach. During SuperStorm Sandy, Coney Island’s beach lost two to three feet of sand. Windblown sand covered the boardwalk and adjacent streets, burying the kiddie rides and parking meters. Back in November, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contracted crews closed West 15th Street and created temporary sand dunes from the Boardwalk to Wonder Wheel Way.

At Deno’s Kiddie Park on the Boardwalk, freshly painted cars from the whimsical Willie the Whale ride are here and there, waiting to return to their circle.

Wm F Mangels Pony Carts Being Painted at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The Ponies and Carts from the classic ride manufactured in Coney Island by William F. Mangels are in the workshop getting a fresh coat of paint.

Arcade Machines Ruined by Sandy, Coney Island Arcade
Bowery and 12th Street, February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

One of the saddest sights in the amusement area is this graveyard of brand-new arcade machines ruined by water damage from Sandy. With the exception of Skeeball, the electronics of Coney Island’s machines were damaged beyond repair. Coney’s arcades will reopen with new games this season.

Marshmallow-on-a-stick and four kinds of candy apples are available at Williams Candy on Surf Avenue. The candy shop is under renovation but is still open daily year-round.