Coney Island is having its best summer season in years, thanks to sunny skies and a growing public fear that the fabled amusement area could soon be a ghost town.
Of the 12 boardwalk businesses surveyed by The Post, 11 say they’re on pace to exceed last season’s profits. Many estimate their business jumped by 20 to 35 percent over last year.
“I think it’s been part beautiful weather and part people having the wrong impression that Coney Island is closing down after this summer,” said Dick Zigun of Coney Island Museum and Circus Sideshow, which he said is up 33 percent.
At Lola Staar Souvenir Boutique, profits are reportedly up 30 percent, and the bars Cha Cha’s and Ruby’s both have seen 25 percent jumps, according to operators.
Only Shoot the Freak is down, by 40 percent.
“We were so worried no one would come this year, but it’s just the opposite, because people are coming from all over the world to cherish what could be the last year of Coney Island as we know it,” said Lola Staar’s Dianna Carlin.
The uncertainty began over the winter, when developer Thor Equities tore down some attractions and served eviction notices to others to prepare to build a $1.5 billion entertainment complex featuring new rides, retail space and high-rise condos.
Then Thor claimed it couldn’t afford to do its project without city approval to include housing, setting up a game of chicken between Thor CEO Joe Sitt and City Hall, with officials positioned to block the controversial housing plan.
Both the city and Sitt say they’re trying to iron out a deal and avoid seeing Coney Island become barren in coming years.
Meanwhile, Astroland’s operators recently kicked off an ad campaign urging visitors to come for its “final” season – even though Sitt claims he wants the keep the park open next year and the city is trying to find an alternate boardwalk site for Astroland.