Beloved Coney Island dive Ruby's Bar and Grill is being ousted from the boardwalk. According to a tipster associated with Ruby's, Zamperla, the Italian company that turned Astroland into Luna Park, has told Ruby's that the lease will not be renewed, as feared. The quintessential Coney Island watering hole now has two weeks to vacate the premises, as does The Grill House, Tom's Souvenir shop, and Paul's Daughter. (Nathan's and Lola Star will reportedly be allowed to stay.) So what's in store for the boardwalk? Check out these underwhelming vague new renderings!
According to the press release, today we have witnessed the "NEW VISION FOR CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK UNVEILED." The statement sent out by Zamerpla (which is operating as Central Amusement International [CAI] on the boardwalk), declares that "the multi-million dollar program, which will include some long-time Coney Island favorites as well as the operators of retail facilities at another world-renown beach resort, will bring back the world-class mix of entertainment, dining and nightlife that was once a hallmark of the famed Boardwalk." Ah, well that explains everything.
No mention is made of the ousted businesses in the press release sent out by Zamperla/CAI, but our source at Ruby's tells us, "Zamperla wants a sports bar & sit down rest on the boardwalk. So no New Year's day party this year at Ruby's!"
