|
|
Article: Boardwalk blues; Coney Island awaits its fate after developer devours land, makes plans
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- October 7, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
|
Like a faded tattoo on thick skin, Ruby's Bar & Grill has been an
imprint of Coney Island since 1948. It is the last vintage tavern on
the boardwalk.
Step right up.
The old jukebox plays Tito Puente mambos and raunchy Ronnie
Hawkins. The back bar is a circus of kitsch with tickets to the
Stauch Baths and a photograph of Bob Hope and Jackie Gleason in
blond wigs and drag. The comics' walk on the wild side was a
surprise birthday present to owner Ruby Jacobs, who adored Marilyn
Monroe.
They're all gone now, Ruby, Marilyn, Bob and Jackie.
The bar may be next.
Thor Equities, which owns the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, has
plans for a $1 billion project that would include a ...