Have you ever come across a building that you know has had so much life, so much history, so much character, yet boarded up and empty?
Every time I’ve visited Coney Island, this building with its massive facade, adorned with flamboyant nautical details, has always intrigued me.
Once, I even chatted with a couple of locals to learn about it and was told in its day it had been a restaurant and a roller derby. Finally, an article I read this week shared more of its life.
Built in 1923, it started as a restaurant chain, but in 1925 one of the original owners decided it should be a vegetarian restaurant. That only lasted a few years and to keep it from going out of business meat was added back to the menu. Unfortunately fires and the great depression brought about bankruptcy and the building was finally sold in 1947 and turned into a chocolate factory. The building remained a private candy operation for good part of 50 years, but unfortunately went out of business in 2003 and was replaced by a roller rink in 2008. Today the building is completely vacant and boarded up.
Thank God, the Preservation Commission granted the building landmark status and from reading the article there are talks of reviving the building. Please, please, please allow this incredible landmark to breathe once again!
(this photo provided via Curbed NY)
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