Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Joe Sitt proves doubters wrong
Mr Sitt’s plans for the arcade – which include Jimmy Choo and Lulu Guinness shops as well as sculptures of human forms by Anthony Gormley – threaten the lifeblood of many long-time tenants.
But to him the ensuing furore is part of his day job. “We’ve been through this before. It’s the same song playing again and again,” he said.
He says opponents also painted him as an uncultured outsider intent on destroying local heritage when he renovated the Palmer House hotel in Chicago and the Phelan Building in San Francisco.
Even in Coney Island – a faded, seedy part of the Brooklyn seafront where Mr Sitt spent childhood weekends – his plan to revive its old spirit with an audaciously glitzy complex of shops, hotels and amusements was unpopular.
After resistance from Michael Bloomberg, New York’s mayor, he reined in his ambitions, but that has not dented his self-belief.
“In all three situations, there were critics who doubted we could revitalise these buildings and neighbourhoods while still staying true to their unique history,” he said. “And in all three places, we’ve either already proven – or are in the process of proving – those doubters wrong.”
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/ec6f8c6c-0185-11e1-8e59-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1c83mah9d
Friday, October 28, 2011
CIDC publishes retail opportunities map
Retail Opportunities Map Now Available
CIDC is pleased to announce the release of a map showing Coney Island properties currently available for lease or sale. If you have questions about a specific property, please contact the relevant real estate agent listed. If you would like to be added to our notification list for future development opportunities or are interested in listing your Coney Island retail property on this map, please contact us.
http://www.thecidc.org/Documents/CIDC_retail_map_Fall2011.pdf
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Go Kart rumor picks up steam
http://amusingthezillion.com/2011/10/25/coney-island-2012-go-karts-return-concretewalk-stopped/
The big question though is this in the space that Beer Island currently leases and does this mean Beer Island would have to vacate or relocate? Big Big questions....
Update - Original article has been modified somewhat. Here is the original cached version of the article posted on Amusing the Zillion
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:bR0mQI6zS64J:amusingthezillion.com/+amusing+zillion+go+karts&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Rubys Final Closing Party?
CI FunGuide -
THE FINAL LAST CALL AT RUBY'S OLD TYME BAR & GRILL is SAT. OCT 29th ALL DAY. We open at 11 am - the party will end when the last beer n sausage are gone. LIVE MUSIC BY RICHI LUPO N UNDERCOVER followed by THE ORIGINAL "MR. CYCLONE" ERIK KNAPP & MYSTICAL CHILDREN.
Its our final good bye after 77 years in Coney Island. We started off with a few Bath Houses back in the day and bought Ruby's in the 70's. Thanks to all of our frineds and family that have helped make Rubys one of the best bars on the Coney Island Boardwalk. REMEMBER "AT RUBYS WE ARE ALL FRIENDS N FAMILY"
THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL YEARS.
http://www.coneyislandfunguide.com/Events/RUBYS-FINAL-CLOSING-PARTY-_10_29_2011-3120.htm
From Eddie Mark's Facebook
Addabbo puts money on full-fledged casinos in NYS - State Senator Joseph Addabbo is calling for full
http://www.facebook.com/eddie.mark
Here is an excerpt from the article -
State Senator Joseph Addabbo is calling for full-fledged casinos in New York state after a recent poll from Siena College revealed that fifty-seven percent of New Yorkers support a constitutional amendment to allow non-Indian casinos to be built in New York, while only 36 percent oppose the initiative.
The senator has noted that he intends to work towards beginning the process of legalizing full casino gaming at the soon-to-open Resorts World New York Casino in South Ozone Park.
Another poll issued by Quinnipac University revealed that 56 percent of New Yorkers support full casino gaming similar to that in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, while 37 percent oppose it.
“Rather than see the money keep going to Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indian casinos upstate, in this stagnant economy, I believe we must start the process, including public input, for the expansion of VLT racinos into full casino gaming to increase our revenues,” Addabbo said in a statement.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor Andrew Cuomo and, most recently, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, have all indicated their support of full gaming facilities in one way or another.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Cha Cha's posts on Facebook
THE CI 7 were not offered leases - only 2 r on table - 2 others are talkingbut no offers yet -that is where it stands currently - 2 have all ready started moving - one is in limbo due to family illness
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cha-Chas-Club-of-Coney-Island/78652189291
Friday, October 21, 2011
The real scenario - Upscale is still on
Boardwalk dives offered new lease — if they clean up
Old-school Boardwalk businesses that are facing eviction can stay open for eight more years — if they agree to get rid of their honky-tonk charm and turn themselves into upscale eateries — under a deal being offered by their landlord.
Central Amusement, the company that controls the leases along the city-owned beachfront, is negotiating new deals that require the owners of old-time businesses — including Ruby’s and Paul’s Daughter — to spend more than $100,000 each to clean up their acts if the Depression-era dives are to remain on the Boardwalk through 2019.
And the old-school owners may not be willing to bite.
“Ruby’s is in negotiations to come back, but right now it’s a coin toss,” said a source close to the negotiations, who asked remain anonymous.
The bars are being asked to spend several hundred thousand dollars on renovations including hardwood floors and a fleet of flat-screen TVs, a move that would rip the rag-tag carney atmosphere out of the 77-year-old Ruby’s, which is beloved by the Coney faithful for its aging decor and honky-tonk feel.
Such a transformation would run the risk of alienating regulars who go there for cheap drinks, salty conversation and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Still, the source said Ruby’s may be willing to pay for the face-lift even though it would drastically change the style of it.
“The place would look more like the 2000’s, not the 1800’s,” the source said.
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/43/bn_boardwalkbizdeal_2011_10_28_bk.html
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Still no mention of 3 sites in the articles
Even though it looks like some businesses are staying and some may be replaced, the big question still is year round plans???
No mention of year round in Daily News article
Daily News article on the Boardwalk -
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2011/10/20/2011-10-20_two_boardwalk_icons_get_new_leases_on_life.html
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Signs are now pointing
NY1 Exclusive- Rubys and Paul's Daughter negotiating 8 year lease
NY1 has learned two Coney Island boardwalk businesses that were evicted have now been asked to stay.
Ruby's and Paul's Daughter, which have been operating on the boardwalk for decades, were supposed to vacate their space permanently by October 31. But now the landlord Zamperla has offered them a long-term lease to keep their bar and eateries.
It comes after sources say a deal with another restaurant operator fell through.
Back in July, NY1 first reported the Miami team of Michele Merlo and Julio Gonzalez were chosen by Zamperla to give the boardwalk a $5 million makeover with year-round restaurants and sports bars.
They were scheduled to take over on November 1, but sources say their first concession stand, an ice cream shop, was not so profitable this season and their deal to expand on the boardwalk is now a bust.
Negotiations are now underway to give Ruby's and Paul's Daughter an eight-year lease..http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/top_stories/149241/ny1-exclusive--evicted-coney-island-businesses-get-new-lease
Big Boardwalk Rumors!
Zamperla USA had planned to replace seven boardwalk mainstays — including Ruby’s Bar and Grill — once their leases expire at the end of the month as part of a $5 million plan to create a more sanitized amusement strip. But a deal with a Miami Beach group to operate four sit-down eateries in the space appears to have fallen apart, sources said yesterday.
And now, some of the seven businesses are expected to be offered new leases of life.
Ruby’s, which was expected to shut down after 77 years in business on Oct. 29, and Paul’s Daughter, a four-decade-old food stand, are now among the likely candidates, sources said. They would have to agree to significant capital improvements, staying open year-round and filling new jobs locally.
It’s not a done deal, but there could be an announcement very soon where at least some return,” said a source.Michael Sarrel, the co-owner of Ruby’s, declined comment.
Zamperla had been in talks with Michele Merlo and Julio Gonzalez, who operate the Pelican Hotel in Miami, to run the four eateries. But the duo is now backing out because an ice cream parlor they opened on the boardwalk in July has been a huge bust, sources said.
Merlo told The Post that his ice cream business, Coney Cones, has been “very disappointing” — mostly because of bad weather over the summer.
Both he and Gonzalez said Coney Cones would return next summer but declined to comment on the rest of their boardwalk plans.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Official CIDC Year-Round Performance Measurement Data
From the CIDC 2011 Annual Report dated August 29, 2011
List of Performance Goals:
Performance Measures FY 11 Actuals
(July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011)
Number of Coney Island community events and
workforce development programs hosted, both
for the core season (Memorial Day to Labor
Day), and the off-season and shoulder season
(Labor Day to Memorial Day)
FY 11 Core Seasons:
July 1, 2010 – September 6, 2010:
- Community events: 65
May 30, 2011 – June 30 2011
- Community events: 6
FY 11 Off-season/shoulder season:
September 7, 2010 – May 29, 2011
- Community events: 48
- Workforce development programs: 7
Number of visitors to Coney Island per calendar
year, both for the core season (Memorial Day to
Labor Day), and the off-season and shoulder
season (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
Spring Shoulder Season
January 1, 2010 – May 28, 2010
Estimated Visitors: 437,312
Core Season
May 29, 2010 – September 6, 2010
Estimated Visitors: 2,804,832
Fall Shoulder Season
September 7, 2010 – December 31, 2010
Estimated Visitors: 319,951
Total Estimated 2010 Visitorship:* 3,562,095
*estimates are based on available turnstile count information from the MTA & estimates on modeshare based on information from a 2007 survey of visitors.
Annual progress on Coney Island
redevelopment plan
- Scream Zone at Coney Island opened in the summer
of 2011, which is the second stage of development
for the new amusement area.
- The final design of the new Steeplechase Plaza has
been completed and ground will break in September
2011.
- The Coney Island Commons project transaction
project has closed and construction on the affordable
housing and YMCA is moving forward.
http://www.thecidc.org/About/Documents/2011FYAnnual%20Report.pdf
Atlantic 10 bringing a bounce to Brooklyn
Atlantic 10 Bringing a Bounce to Brooklyn
By MARK VIERA
Published: October 13, 2011
The Atlantic 10 men’s basketball coaches gathered at a hotel in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge on Thursday to smile for television cameras, dispense radio sound bites and press the flesh with newspaper reporters at the conference’s media day.
The setting underscored the conference’s effort to increase its exposure in New York as it prepares to move its tournament to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, which is under construction, for five seasons starting in 2013.
“For a long time, Atlantic 10 basketball and our games have been a little out of reach,” Commissioner Bernadette McGlade said in an interview. “This is a chance to come right into a place that’s so accessible. “
WSJ expects Boardwalk to go upscale
Ruby's isn't the only one expected to leave by Nov. 4. Cha Cha's next door, Steve's Grill House and Paul's Daughter also are losing their leases. Beer Island, Gyro Corner and the Coney Island Souvenir Shop will, too.
They are a hardy bunch, this pack of seven, who fought tooth and nail to cling to their piece of Coney Island. They were slated to close last year when they banded together to sue Central Amusement International, which holds a long-term lease from the city to operate and redevelop the land with what's expected to be more upscale, newer businesses.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204002304576629172478218708.htmlThursday, October 13, 2011
Joe Sitt talks Coney in the Real Deal
Joseph J. Sitt
chairman/CEO, Thor Equities
Activists are concerned about local businesses going under because of all of the changes to the area. How are the changes that you and other developers are making impacting old-time businesses?
The fact is, the redevelopment of Coney Island will be a rising tide that lifts all boats. The area will not have seen the influx of spending, shoppers and tourists in a century. Plus, we forecast a different breed of visitor, who will stay the night and patronize many different levels and kinds of businesses: hotels, restaurants, shops, the boardwalk [and other] attractions. Since its heyday nearly 100 years ago, [Coney Island] has been in a saddening period of gradual decline and decay. Our vision would benefit existing businesses and provide thousands of jobs and a lift to an economically depressed residential community. … I grew up in the area in the '60s and '70s. My family and I live in Gravesend now. I jog on the boardwalk and eat in the restaurants. I want to preserve the grit that makes Coney Island so real and well-loved today and calls up feelings of nostalgia, but I seek to reinject the mood of fantasy and dreams that drew millions of visitors in the first place.
What kind of spillover effect is the redevelopment having on the investment sales market in the area?
There will be a great positive effect in the short term and -- hopefully -- a monumental one in the aggregate. Nobody has looked at this neighborhood as more than a time capsule for many, many years. It's one of the last great opportunities in New York City. The prospect of the project in itself has sparked a wave of interest in both the commercial and residential markets, and in both the sales and rental sectors, which we have not seen in years.
http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/coney-island-the-people-s-playground
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Amusing the Zillion confirms Boardwalk Businesses must vacate by Nov 4th
Seven businesses–Ruby’s Bar, Paul’s Daughter, Cha Cha’s, Gyro Corner, Steve’s Grill House, Beer Island and the Suh family’s Coney Island Souvenir Shop– must vacate their City-owned storefronts by November 4, 2011 as per the terms of the one-year lease extension.
http://amusingthezillion.com/2011/10/09/photo-of-the-day-rubys-old-tyme-bar-by-kenny-lombardi/
It should be so interesting to see what year round businesses take their place. New Coney about to rise and soon!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Brooklyn Loves Dice
Bay News excerpt -
The Diceman takes MCU Park by X-rated storm
He’s no Jack Horner, and he’s NOT sitting in a corner.
Brooklyn-born bad-boy supercomic Andrew “Dice” Clay — notorious for infusing nursery rhymes with big bolts of blue humor — returned to his home turf on Saturday to deliver his saucy elbow-ticklers during a one-night show at MCU Park.
The Diceman, a Brownsville native, received an uproarious welcome from the 3,000-strong crowd, which packed the Brooklyn Cyclones’ stadium in Coney Island, and clung to his every X-rated word like bees to a honeypot.
http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2011/40/all_bb_andrewdiceclay_2011_10_07_bk.html
Zamperla talks year round
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Nathans signs major licensing deal
/PRNewswire/ -- Leading food manufacturer, Inventure Foods (NASDAQ: SNAK), has partnered with legendary Nathan's Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ: NATH) to license the popular Nathan's restaurant brand name for a new line of snacks that will be available at grocery, vending and convenience store retailers this fall.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110929/DE77645 )
The Nathan's Famous snacks will offer consumers unique and tasty ready-to-eat snacks that replicate the tastes found within Nathan's popular restaurant menu. Snacks under the Nathan's brand will include Cheddar Cheese, Chili Cheese and Honey Mustard flavored Crunchy Crinkle Fries and will be available in 2.0 to 3.5 ounce bags with a suggested retail price of $1.99 - $2.19 per package. There also will be a Nathan's crinkle cut potato chip available in a single serve 1.25 ounce size that will retail from $.99 to $1.29.
"We're excited to partner with Inventure Foods to see our brand extend into the snack chip aisle," said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan's Famous. "Inventure Foods has demonstrated a unique ability to translate popular restaurant menu items into incredibly delicious snack foods. We're looking forward to a taste experience that is Nathan's to the core."
Nathan's Famous began as a single restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn in 1916. Today, Nathan's has grown to become an international brand reaching millions of customers through traditional and captive-market restaurant operations, a branded product program introduced throughout the food service industry, and packaged products sold in supermarkets. Nathan's hot dogs are marketed and sold in more than 40,000 locations worldwide, including more than 30,000 retail locations and more than 10,000 food service outlets. Nathan's products are sold in all 50 states and six foreign countries.
"The common denominator within all of our successful snack foods is creating great tasting products that connect with the brand," said Steve Sklar, senior vice president of marketing for Inventure Foods. "The Nathan's Famous menu offers a wide variety of diverse, inspired flavors that will allow us to develop unique snack chips that stand out from the typical 'sour-cream-and-onion' crowd."
Inventure Foods has a proven track record of translating popular restaurant menu items into ready-to-eat snacks, including decadent offerings like T.G.I. Friday's® and BURGER KING™ chips and better-for-you offerings like the Jamba™ All-Natural smoothie kits. In addition, Inventure Foods manufactures its own popular brands, including Boulder Canyon Natural Foods™, Rader Farms®, Poore Brothers®, Tato Skins® and Bob's Texas Style®.
About Inventure Foods, Inc.
With manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Indiana and Washington, Inventure Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNAK) is a marketer and manufacturer of Intensely Different™ food brands under a variety of owned or licensed brand names, including T.G.I. Friday's®, Poore Brothers®, Bob's Texas Style®, BURGER KING™, Boulder Canyon Natural Foods™, Tato Skins®, Rader Farms® and Jamba®. For further information about Inventure Foods, please visit www.inventurefoods.com.
About Nathan's Famous, Inc.
Nathan's products are currently distributed in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and six foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and retail licensing activities. The Nathan's restaurant system currently consists of 268 units, comprised of 263 franchised or licensed units and five company-owned units (including one seasonal unit). For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.
City moves forward with concrete boardwalk
City officials are pressing forward with a plan to give the Coney Island Boardwalk a concrete makeover despite fierce opposition and a rejection by the local community board.
Borough Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey said Monday the department would stick with a plan to rebuild a stretch of the Boardwalk with a 12-foot strip of concrete down the middle and plastic lumber on either side, and would seek approval from the city Public Design Commission later this month.
Officials say the concrete is cheaper, sturdier and better able to stand up to traffic from city vehicles that drive on the Boardwalk.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Fight over Lundy's
WSJ excerpt -
The Russian store that moved in two years ago, the Cherry Hill Gourmet Market, has scores of tables for dinner and serves fish salad and a dozen kinds of smoked fish and caviar. But it is primarily a grocery store and thus not permitted under the special zoning, the city Department of Buildings found.
Now, the Russian-born fruit and vegetable man who created the gourmet store, David Isaev, is trying to legalize the market and keep its roughly 100 workers employed.
Mr. Isaev settled the fines with the landmarks commission and is now trying to get a zoning change that would legalize his store. The change would have to be approved by the City Planning Commission and faces intense opposition from some residents.
Mr. Isaev, who lived in Israel for 12 years before coming to the U.S. 22 years ago, said he views himself as a much-maligned savior of a garbage-strewn building that was going to ruin.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904106704576582941385699126.html?mod=googlenews_wsjSaturday, October 1, 2011
Dice in Coney Tonight!
So, you’re coming home to Brooklyn to perform at MCU Park, how do you feel about that?
You see, Brooklyn never had a big place for me to perform. I started out at Pips, which isn’t there anymore, but over 300 sold-out arena shows, obviously, The Garden, the most famous, and the biggest show that I ever did, but it wasn’t alone, was with Guns ‘N’ Roses and Metallica at The Rose Bowl out in L.A.
My point is, I played every arena over and over and over, but Brooklyn has never had a big place, and when this resurgence happened, I said that I want to play Cyclone Stadium. That’s my home, that’s where I’m from. I never lost my feel for Brooklyn.
As a matter of fact, the last time that I had to come into the city, I took my wife into Brooklyn, and we went to Kings Plaza, we went to Coney Island, and Spumoni Gardens. I said that this is where I’m from. This is why I am the way I am! Brooklyn people are the best people in the fuckin’ world!
I thought why not just come back there and show them I’m still your Brooklyn guy! That’s why even in Entourage, I wore a sweatshirt that said ‘Brooklyn’s Son!’ I always felt so connected to Brooklyn, and when I did the show, I wanted them to see that! My father, who is very sick now, said to me, “You’re going to climb up there again. It’s who you are. That’s why you call yourself the Rocky of stand-up comedy because no matter what’s been done to you, you don’t fall!”http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/09/28/interview-with-andrew-dice-clay-bend-over-brooklyn/
Exactly what in Coney has been saved over the last decade?
Does anybody ever use the terms honkytonk or gritty to describe Coney Island anymore? There was a huge movement to save Coney after the Cyclones came and the CIDC was announced. Never understood the movement. Coney is a ghost town 9 months of the year. Obviously this movement to keep Coney the way it was didn't work. And exactly why should have it worked? Isn't the object to move Coney forward to a thriving year round economy?
Change moving forward. An extensively new Coney is emerging.
