Bloomberg's New York has claimed another victim. At noon today, too late for most of us, a rally was held on the boardwalk in Coney Island to save Coney mainstay, Ruby's Bar, a family owned business that has been in existence since 1934. The current owners have owned it for last 35 years.
Along with Ruby's, nine other longtime businesses were served with eviction notices. They were told to vacate by November 15th. Were they evicted for non-payment of rent or other lapses? Nope. They just don't fit in with the new concept of Coney, a Coney that will replace Ruby's and others with a sports bar, beer garden and upscale restaurant.
The blog Amusing the Zillion obtained a copy of the vacate letter. The owners expected to receive letters informing them whether or not their business proposals were accepted by the City’s Economic Development Corporation. They were dismayed to receive eviction notices. They didn't even attempt to work with these businesses.
In an interview with Ruby's owner Michael Sarrel on the blog Grub, he says, “We are 75 percent resolved that it’s over. However, we’re 25 percent resolved that it’s not.”
Sarrel also noted that they made $40,000 in improvements to the bar last year with the hope that would help their chances to remain. He also entertained the idea of moving to another location. But he knows as do all of us that its not the name of the place, it's the physical location which brings the vibe. Ruby's may wind up somewhere else in Coney and it still may be a great bar, but the vibe will be gone.
No one can argue that Coney Island needs economic revitalization. But it can be done with a mix of the new and old. Keep what works. Keep what continues to define Coney Island as a unique New York neighborhood. Who the hell is going to travel to Coney Island to go to a sports bar?
Many Ruby patrons are outraged and all have expressed the same sentiment, "If Ruby's goes, that's just another reason not to go to Coney Island.”
It may be tilting at windmills, but if you want to try and save Ruby's, go here and sign the petition. As of noon Saturday, over 1,000 people have signed. The site also contains contact information for elected officials and the new owners, Central Amusement International, whose address, is 49 Fanny Road, Boonton, NJ. It's a suitable address because they are asses for evicting a Coney Island original.
“For Saturday, my intent quite honestly is to just open up the place for business for possibly the last time. As far as any rally goes, those are patrons putting it together. I’m pleased by it, but for me I’m just opening up my business for what might be the last time. “
Ruby's is not only a Coney Island bar, it's an institution. It's the nexus of the boardwalk and to lose it is to lose Coney Island.
Comments
Thanks for the link, Bernie
Nice examining, Examiner. The rally went from noon to 6pm, so you would have had plenty of time to report in person. Bands played, people spoke, a good time was had by all. Still, thanks for mentioning it...
The Paneras and TGIFridays are gonna be awesome!!!!
The Paneras and TGIFridays are gonna be awesome!!!!
typical... the big guy pushes the little guy around and or out. I bet there are a bunch of "chains" who will move into Coney making it like a suburban mall... sheeshh. It would be nice if the "people could have their wishes" but I'm betting there's already informal deals done and waiting to be inked upon the termination of these tenant leases.
It's abuse of the worst kind. It's banana republic time.
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