Charles Denson, executive director of the Coney Island History Project is pleased to announce that on Monday, February 22nd, at 1:30 pm, a group of CIHP members will retrieve artifacts, including floor tiles and bricks, from the historic Feltman’s kitchen on the former Astroland site and the future home of Central Amusements International’s New Luna Park.
The Feltman’s building is the last remnant of the restaurant complex owned by Charles Feltman, the inventor of the hot dog. Nathan Handwerker worked in Feltman’s kitchen before he went on to found Nathan’s Famous.
The site visit was arranged with the cooperation of Lynn Kelly, President of the Coney Island Development Corporation, whose idea it was to offer these artifacts to the Coney Island History Project. We are grateful for this opportunity to gather these mementos and put them on display in Summer 2010 at our exhibition center under the Cyclone. Since the property is currently under construction and a site visit may present risks and hazards, the History Project received special permission from the City to access the site.
The Feltman’s building underwent asbestos abatement and is set to be demolished due to structural instability according to the NYCEDC. Other structures on the property, including the Astrotower and the two Sky Ride stations, will be repurposed by the NYCEDC for the new amusement park set to open this summer.
Feltman's c. 1955. The kitchen is highlighted in blue.
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HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE
MY DAD , KEN BOURKE, RAN THE KITCHEN AND MUCH OF THE FACILITY DURING THE EARLY 50's UNTIL HE LEFT TO RUN A RESORT I. THE BAHAMAS. HIS BOSS WAS BENNO BECHTOLD.
SORRY MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARE BEING DEMOLISHED. GLAD TO HEAR OF RETRIEVAL OF PIECES FOR FUTURE USE.
PATTY
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