Shoot the Freak, Ruby’s Bar get the axe


Top left: Shoot the Freak; Top right: Ruby’s Bar; Bottom: Central Amusement’s rendering of the future Coney Island boardwalk

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Coney Island’s new landlord has opted not to renew the leases for nine longtime Coney Island businesses, including Shoot the Freak, Ruby’s Bar and Beer Garden, according to the New York Times. In August, Central Amusement International, which operates the amusement district’s new 3.1-acre Luna Park, had asked 11 business owners to submit proposals for nine-year lease renewals. This morning, the landlord informed them that only Nathan’s and Lola Star’s gift shop were deemed suitable for its new “vision of a resurgent Coney Island.” Several millions of dollars will be spent renovating the mostly decrepit buildings of the ousted businesses. Central Amusement is said to be negotiating with the Brooklyn Brewery to open a new beer hall on the boardwalk. Carol Albert, the former Astroland owner and longtime operator of the famed Cyclone roller coaster, said this morning that she is also leaving Coney Island, having been priced out by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Central Amusement is the likely new operator, she said. The city plans to start seeking bids for a new Cyclone operator this month. [NYT]