NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Businesses on the Coney Island Boardwalk are seeing an increase in crowds after more than a year of pandemic-related shutdowns and setbacks.
Peter Agrapides, who owns Pete’s Clam Stop and Williams Candy, opened up shop Saturday with a smile on his face.
Following this past week’s rain, he looked forward to Sunday’s crowds from the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
“We’ve been preparing all week. The last two days was a washout,” he said. “We’re going to be here late tonight. It’s going to be a late one.”
Agrapides’ family has been operating on the boardwalk since 1975.
Coney Island Beach Shop owner Haim Haddad said he also has a good feeling about this summer.
“For this year, it’s better than last year,” he said.
Haddad’s family used to operate at six locations. They're now down to two because of the pandemic.
But it’s slowly starting to look more like 2019 for Haddad, as more people get vaccinated and feel comfortable going out.
“It’s back to normal,” he said. “We'll say like 70% maybe. But I believe next year, when tourists start to come, that I call 100% back.”
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