Comments on: Goodbye Coney Island, hello Myrtle Beach

By: Coastal Kate

Coastal Kate — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:52:53 +0000

Myrtle Beach is one of my FAVORITE places to visit. I think its funny that you criticize it yet it wins awards year after year for being a top 10 vacation spot, top 10 growing destination, and top 10 Best Family Beach in the country. Hmm… maybe you had a bad personal experience there??? Of course like any town/city there are bad spots (YES including Coney) so if you know where to go there is way more to offer in MB than most beach towns. I think you need to wake up and not hate so much on such a great place!

By: amyg

amyg — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:08:13 +0000

the problem here is that the city is courting national chains and developers and blocking any local development and small business. it’s a giant land grab from billionaires. this is what we reap when we elect Bloombergs. Stop electing Bloombergs.

By: Cribbster

Cribbster — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 08:47:19 +0000

My point though is that those other seaside towns aren’t going to survive in their current incarnation. Property values are going to continue to rise there, forcing out those businesses unless they’re subsidized by local governments in some way. (The NYT wrote about this recently.) Also, people will continue to go to Coney. That development wouldn’t occur otherwise. I don’t say these things to support whatever’s happening there. But what does happen usually makes more sense than what should happen (even if it sucks).

By: Bob number 2

Bob number 2 — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 18:27:26 +0000

By the way I am not the same Bob as the one immediately above.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 17:37:42 +0000

Considering this site caters to the gentrifying crowd that ruined Williamsburg it seems a little disingenuous to attack bland indication on Coney Island.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 14:48:25 +0000

Your elitism defines you. Fight for Coney Island, a place I love, but do not put down Myrtle beach-a terrific beach with lots of fun things to do. It is people like you who ruin peoples attitudes towards New York

By: Chris Shelley

Chris Shelley — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:25:13 +0000

As a Myrtle Beach native, your portrayal of the city makes me sad. While I actually appreciate the study in extreme post-modernity that is Myrtle Beach’s recent development, a la “Learning from Las Vegas” on sleeping pills, I can understand why it would be nauseating to most people. I assure you that there also are unique and authentic experiences to be had there if only you know where to look. If, however, you are a lazy tourist, you will end up in lazy tourist destinations with all the other lazy tourists. I wish you had called me. I would have shown you the good shit, but shh… it’s secret.

By: aulistar

aulistar — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:53:25 +0000

Others might not agree but I think Johnny Rockets is fucking delicious! and so I look forward to my new found reason to go Coney.

By: gene99

gene99 — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:30:09 +0000

When the French didn’t want Disney they had a riot. What’s wrong with you young people today?

By: Will

Will — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 01:03:51 +0000

I should mention that Cha Cha’s was still open this past April, just on Surf Avenue between Stillwell and W. 15th Street instead of on the Boardwalk. He’s also planning to rebuild post-Sandy.
Shoot the Freak is gone, but Paul’s Daughter, Ruby’s, Lola Star remain — practically unscathed, too. The Wonder Wheel will turn again this March, as it has for generations.
On Surf Avenue, there’s still Eldorado and Sideshows by the Seashore, both due to reopen this summer. The Coney Island History Project will be back on W. 12th Street. You can get a beer at the Coney Island Bar and Grill, if you want to chance a run-in with a biker — but that’s a risk you take any Saturday night in Coney. And just a couple blocks away are Williams Candy and Pete’s Clam Shack, both survivors of the storm.
It may also interest you also that Joe Sitt plans to rent his building across from the train station to small businesses this summer: http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/35/52/bn_sittgoessmall_2012_12_28_bk.html
The point I’m making is that Coney Island has undoubtedly changed, but many of its defining small businesses remain. If you care about these sort of places, then it behooves you to go to them and spend your money. That’s what will keep them around.