I have two old Coney Island beach chairs – wood & canvas – the canvas on the top canopy is marked M&C. They were rented on the beach with similar marked umbrellas from concessions run by the parks department. Could you give me some info on them – when and where manufactured, how old, what do initials stand for and when when they discontinued? I have seen them in photos on the beach from the 50’s. – Paul M.
M.C. was owned by Bob Myers who had his headquarters on West 12th Street underneath Ward’s Kiddie Park. Myers operated a concession, granted by the Parks Department, that rented beach chairs, umbrellas, and the rolling chairs on the Boardwalk. The business operated in Coney from the 1930s through the early 1960s at five locations under the boardwalk, from Sea Gate to Manhattan Beach.
Every spring, Myers would load up his 1932 Ford truck with his beach equipment and distribute it to the under-the-Boardwalk tin shacks where it was rented to the beach-going public during the summer. The rolling chairs could also be rented in the winter. They were stationary and lined up in front of the Ward’s building, occupied by sun-worshipers who used them year-round. You have a valuable piece of Coney Island history!
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I was a manager for M and C beach chairs for many years. I am now 74+. The M stands for Meyers and the C for Collins. I was a chair deliver “(lugger” was we were called) prior to my becoming a manager. At the height of the operation they had beach chair and umbrella stands located on alternate streets from Sea Gate to Brighton Beach. I also worked on the truck delivering the chairs before the summer and emptying the stands at the end of the summer. I also met my first wife at M and C, she was a cashier at the time.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I also is a lugger then manager from 1972-1976. Bob Myers and his wife Helen used to tell us many stories of Coney Island. I recall doing the season setup and end of season routine. The warehouse where the chairs and umbrellas were stores was on Cropsey Avenue. As a lugger of chairs we used to receive tips which were put into a “Kitty Bucket” and at the end of the day, the manager or cashier would divide the kitty and the luggers would get an equal share. Much to my suprise, when I received my first pay check there was no money in my enevlope. When I checked with Bob he told me that we feel under amusment park wages and any tips were deducted from our pay.
What wonderful memories.
August 20th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I worked at M & C from 1966 to 1974 and served as manager the last 6 years. It was a great experience and I have wonderful memories. I also worked on the truck which was tough work. Does anyone know what happened to the family - Bob, his wife Helen, his son Sandy, his daughter Sue, and his son-in-law Dave?
Phil Rosenthal
February 19th, 2009 at 3:39 am
For the life of me I do not recall seeing the rolling chairs up on the boards but I do remember the chair and umbrella rentals under the boards. I do recall however at some point those rental stands were either boarded up or the window counters and doors were bricked off. I spent lots of time snooping under the boards all times of year till it started to become a haven for perverts. Now you can not even walk under the boards since the city took the sand that was dredged up from the bay and shot under the boards. It was fun to jump down off the rails to the sand below.
February 25th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
The home office for m. and c. beach chairs ,umbrellas and rolling chairs was located on w. 12th st.. in a sub boardwalk storage area. On a good day they were rolled lop side for people to rent and enjoy.
hyk
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
[...] in an antique rolling chair from the Coney Island Museum. Once upon a time these wicker chairs were used to transport visitors on the Boardwalk. The Mayor of Coney Dick Zigun sez put picnic basket bribe right here! Photo © Tricia [...]