Beloved boardwalk businesses fear displacement after new operator wins Rockaway contract
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BEachgoers and business owners fear the displacement of beloved Boardwalk eatery Rippers. Eagle photo by Katie Finkowski
By David Brand
A decision to award a 15-year Rockaway Beach Boardwalk concession contract to a new company could result in the eviction of a handful of beloved boardwalk businesses, say worried beachgoers and eatery owners.
The New York City Parks Department has contracted with Rockaway Beach Bazaar LLC, a company formed by the owners of Brooklyn Bazaar and nearby Riis Park Beach Bazaar, to renovate, operate and maintain three beachfront cafes, one shop and 20 additional units for the next decade and a half. The properties include the popular bars and restaurants Rippers, Low Tide and Caracas.
The LLC outbid Rockaway Beach Club, a coalition of local business owners that won the contract to operate concessions at Beach 106th, Beach 97th and Beach 86th Street in 2011. The Rockaway Times first reported on the contract.
The longtime tenants and many of their customers say they worry the new operator will evict the eateries or raise rents.
“The Rockaway Beach club has been the umbrella of love, hard work and fostered the CULTURE of the Rockaway we all know today,” the Rockaway Beach shop Zingara Vintage wrote on Instagram Friday.
The store is located on Beach 91st Street, about two blocks from the boardwalk, and opens occasional pop-up shops outside Rippers. “It’s because of them that so many of us have had the times of our lives on the Rockaway Boardwalk,” Zingara said.
Zingara’s post also described a concern among many boardwalk businesses: even those offered leases to remain in their beachfront buildings may lose control of bar sales, a crucial moneymaker.
“This would crush their business,” Zingara said. “And what about the dozen or so other small businesses that operate in the concessions ? Where will they go?”
The businesses in place have weathered COVID-19 and helped restore the boardwalk in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, said Rockaway resident Sarina Parachini, whose husband owns Rippers, located near Beach 86th Street.
“These are all Rockaway businesses owned by people from the Rockaways,” Parachini said. “We just got through COVID. We were on the boardwalk for Sandy, we rebuilt after Sandy in a huge way.”
Various social media campaigns urge supporters of the existing eateries to participate in a public contract hearing Monday.
“These business worked tirelessly to clean up the beach, and provide food & booze to the boardwalk,” the Brooklyn-based business Meat Hook wrote on Instagram. “They’ve likely thrown your favorite beach party and given you escape on those sweltering Summer days.”
In a statement, Rockaway Beach Bazaar owners Belvy Klein and Aaron Broudo said they want to retain the existing businesses.
“We plan on bringing back popular, established Rockaway vendors as well as introducing exciting new operators as we continue to contribute to Rockway's renaissance,” they added. “We intend to retain as many of the previous vendors as possible and will be offering those operators first opportunity at their past concession locations.”
The Parks Department issued a request for proposals for a boardwalk operator in November 2019. The Rockaway Beach Bazaar LLC will pay the city between $300,000 and $453,777 each year for the next 15 years, according to contract details. The amount increases annually.
Parks Department spokesperson Charisse Hill said Rockaway Beach Bazaar plans to “keep the party going at at the beloved B86th, B97th, and B106th street beachside oases.”
The company will work with the existing vendors and transform the Beach 97th Street concession area — home to Surf’s Up, High 97 and Super Burrito — into a year-round venue, Hill said.
