Vanishing act: Three Coney Island Sideshow performers show us their favorite spots on the Boardwalk
Bachner for NewsStephanie Torres is a snake charmer and contortionist who was discovered in 1997
BY Gina Salamone DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Sunday, April 24th 2011,
Putting the freak factor back in fun, the Coney Island Circus Sideshow is now open for the summer. This year is bittersweet for the performers, who range from sword swallowers to snake charmers, as it's the final season for some of their favorite spots on the Boardwalk.
While the Sideshow is safe in its Surf Ave. location, many of the bars and grills a block away have to leave to make room for redevelopment. Known as the "Coney Island 8," the mom-and-pop businesses fought to return for one last summer, but have to be out by November.
The Sideshow, run by Dick Zigun, was once housed on the Boardwalk. "If we hadn't moved, we'd be part of the ‘Coney Island 9,' " he says.
While he'd be sad to see the businesses go, he's hoping they'll reopen nearby.
"We just moved down the block, relocated, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we ended up thriving there and bought the building," Zigun says. "So you can relocate and do fine.
"I'm hoping some of these businesses, when they shut down on the Boardwalk in November, don't disappear from Coney Island — that they move to Surf Ave.," he adds.
In the meantime, he and his employees will enjoy them on the Boardwalk this summer.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/04/24/2011-04-24_vanishing_act_three_coney_island_sideshow_performers_show_us_their_favorite_spot.html#ixzz1KQvoAtvx
While the Sideshow is safe in its Surf Ave. location, many of the bars and grills a block away have to leave to make room for redevelopment. Known as the "Coney Island 8," the mom-and-pop businesses fought to return for one last summer, but have to be out by November.
The Sideshow, run by Dick Zigun, was once housed on the Boardwalk. "If we hadn't moved, we'd be part of the ‘Coney Island 9,' " he says.
While he'd be sad to see the businesses go, he's hoping they'll reopen nearby.
"We just moved down the block, relocated, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we ended up thriving there and bought the building," Zigun says. "So you can relocate and do fine.
"I'm hoping some of these businesses, when they shut down on the Boardwalk in November, don't disappear from Coney Island — that they move to Surf Ave.," he adds.
In the meantime, he and his employees will enjoy them on the Boardwalk this summer.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/04/24/2011-04-24_vanishing_act_three_coney_island_sideshow_performers_show_us_their_favorite_spot.html#ixzz1KQvoAtvx
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