The Cream
So here’s something you might not know about me—New Yorkers, especially, please listen up: I’m one degree of separation from a Coney Island boardwalk icon: Paul’s Daughter, which used to be Gregory & Paul’s, at 1001 Boardwalk West, across from the historic Cyclone roller coaster. Paul is my uncle. Paul’s daughter, Tina, who took over the store, is my first cousin.
Gregory & Paul's of Coney Island, NY. Image via Paul's Daughter, Facebook.
Paul's Daughter of Coney Island, NY. Image via Paul's Daughter, Facebook.
And here’s the deal, via a Facebook post from Tina that gives you the story in a nutshell:
We’ve lost our lease and have been given two weeks to vacate our beautiful, iconic restaurant on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Gregory & Paul’s (now Paul’s Daughter) has been a part of the Boardwalk skyline for 41 years. Remember the rocket? That’s us! Founder Paul Georgoulakos has been serving Coney Island for 60 years…
Basically, this slice of vintage New York is now shuttered because a developer with deep pockets wants to “modernize” the area, including replacing the boardwalk with concrete. This is the place where I first developed my taste for glamour, believe it or not; it was there with my dad and uncle that I first sampled oysters and clams on the half-shell—at age two! It is absolutely an iconic place, like stepping back in time. And further, it is a piece of my family’s history.
Want to know more? You only need to Google “Gregory and Paul’s, Coney Island” or “Coney Island, Paul Georgoulakos” and you will find reams of info about this amazing place. Read Businesses on the Coney Island Boardwalk Receive Their Marching Papers to get started.
Save Paul’s Daughter!
If you’ve ever been to Coney Island, I hope you will help get the word out and save Paul’s Daughter by letting NY and the world know what you think:
- “Like” Paul’s Daughter on Facebook
- Contact the Mayor
- Contact the Coney Island Development Corporation
••
I’m still swooning over Pinkbow’s incredible Ladurée photos. See them all in her post, Ladurée – Burlington Arcade.
Image via www.pinkbow.net.
Image via www.pinkbow.net.
••
The Sugar
LOVE this print I saw over at BonBon Rose Girls, via Lilac and Grey, via the Etsy Keep Calm Shop (…oh, the tangled Web…):
Image via the Keep Calm Shop on Etsy.
A good friend/co-worker used to always tell me he liked me best after I’d had one martini. I have to agree. I like me—and everything else—better after one martini too.
••
Thank you Cameron, of Midnight in a Perfect World, for the wonderfully-written blog feature on me and G&G. For those of you who regularly feature other bloggers on your blogs, you really should take a look. She presents her honorees in her own voice—it’s a different, very enjoyable twist. How might you change your interviews or features to make them stand out from the rest?
Read Le suivre vendredi – Grit and Glamour
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
@LadyCameronXIII
November 7, 2010
Ahhhhh ! Merci beaucoup madame ! I’m flattered, to say the least! And I’m very happy you enjoyed what I wrote.
Merci encore ! Gros bisous ! xoxoxoxo
Cameron´s latest post: La fin de la semaine – 7 novembre 2010
oh, I’ve never been to Coney Island, but this is just WRONG. what kind of development is more important?
Terri´s latest post: The 30 for 30 Challenge
@fashionsmaven
November 7, 2010
There’s a Keep Calm Etsy shop? I’m in trouble…
I’ve never been to Coney Island but I’m sorry to hear that.
Katie´s latest post: Fall Scents
Ohh, I hate it when people want to demolish something so beautiful and nostalgic just because they want things to be modern and they have the $$$ in their pockets…
I’ve never been to Coney Island, but I read so many good things about that place, a place that is def rich with love and nostalgia
Changing Coney Island would be like changing history, does America agree?, I hope people sign up to coney island FB, and talk to the mayor
As for the Laduree, YUM!!! how gorgeous and yummy are the pics, and I’m heading off to Midnight in a Perfect World to read the interview
)
Cheers
J
XOXO
@abritgreek
November 7, 2010
Oh no!!! I hate when something so retro and fabulous has to get crushed and turned into some vile, shiny, modernized place. It just wouldn’t be the same. There was an element of this post that reminded me of that film ’2 weeks notice’ with Hugh and Sandra… let’s hope they don’t tear it down.
Just popped over to Midnight in a Perfect World, congrats on your feature, it’s a fab lil blog, love the writing style!
x.o.x.o
A Brit Greek´s latest post: Braving New Heights
@LadyCameronXIII
November 7, 2010
Thank you for dropping by and for the love, madame ! Happy to have been of service.
Cameron´s latest post: La fin de la semaine – 7 novembre 2010
Oh no! I hope your cousin doesn’t have to close, it looks amazing there!! It would be an utter shame if they tore it down just to modernise the area because it’s a part of history!
Pinkbow’s photos are so deliciously beautiful! I am going there now for further inspection
Thank you V for another fabulous Sunday Coffee!!
xoxo
Meg
Meg´s latest post: Exciting Times
@WellAppCatwalk
November 7, 2010
Pave the boardwalk in concrete?! Ugh! So sad. Good luck to your cousin!
xo,
Marissa
The Well-Appointed Catwalk´s latest post: Hellish Handbags by James Piatt
Good Morning V,
Your Sunday post are the reason I turn on my computer in the morning. I’m so sorry to hear about your families troubles. I will click to facebook after this. I have the original “Keep Calm” poster. I must say, if I knew this one existed I would have purchased it instead, more me. Cheers.
B
I’m so with you on martinis. The world is a beautiful place and I am a beautiful creature after one of them — especially my husband’s mild-meltingly storng dirty martinis!
Cloud of Secrets´s latest post: Nest Egg
@taxnomywardrobe
November 7, 2010
It’s quite distressing to see the power that developers seem to have in being able to just walk in and destroy history in almost any place in the world. Many of the things that made London wonderful are being torn down and “modernised” by developers into bland, identical and uninteresting commercial developments that lack the uniqueness that was there originally. I hope the boardwalk is saved from concreting and those surrounding businesses allowed to continue!
Veshoevius´s latest post: Riverside
@AnikaByAnika
November 7, 2010
Hi, I have liked Pauls daughter on fb, very sorry to see this amazing place threatened! Thanks for sharing great links, and many congrats on making IFB! totally well deserved, and great that the post reaches an even wider audience.
xx
go Vahni!
Anika´s latest post: Flaming June & Anika
@FashionNextDoor
November 7, 2010
oh wow. I’ve never been to Coney Island, but if I ever get there I want to see the original boardwalk!!! this is just wrong. What’s wrong with us (as in Americans)? Why do we always do this? We preserve nothing… ugh! Sometimes I feel like we just don’t value the history in old landmarks like this… we just see dollar signs, and how we can get more of them. I haven’t traveled outside of the US, but when I view photos of other countries I am always in awe of all the history…the stories that are told in the old buildings, and shops, and restaurants. This is Coney Island for goodness sake! Why would they want to ruin it? and why would the city allow that?
Sorry if this comment is a little melodramatic. This kinda stuff really gets to me. My fiance’ says I always have a cause. What can I say?
Eboni Ife’´s latest post: Little Red Riding Hood Shoeclipsbiz Giveaway Winner!
Thank you so much for featuring me! And congratulations on your feature too
And oh this upsets me do much to see old places like this be forced to end before their time. I’m like you, a martini goes a long way in righting the world!
Why on earth would they want to modernize a place with such history? I hate when people come in and do whatever they want because they have the money. This is the kind of place people remember visiting as children and then one day return to it with their own children. It would be devastating to lose a place with such sentiment. Wishing your cousin all the best!!
I giggled at your comment about the martini. My friends prefer me after a glass of wine but are ready to drop me on the side of the road after a whiskey or two! xx
brookemeagan´s latest post: Plait Glass
@styleactivist
November 8, 2010
UGH. The horror of the idea of putting concrete on that piece of incredible history makes me shudder. I hope it is saved!! I love Coney Island. They can’t change it!!
And I just love martini’s. Maybe just yummy cocktails in general. Sometimes, it really warms me up too
XOXO,
style activist
Erika´s latest post: Happy Things
@gritandglamour
November 8, 2010
Hello lovelies!
Thank you all for your thoughts, for your support of Paul’s Daughter, and for taking the time to comment. We all unanimously agree that modernizing places like Coney Island erases our character and history! Let’s hope the businesses are able to change the developers’ minds—will keep you posted.
I feel extremely guilty about not having the time to respond to all of you individually. Know that I value your thoughts and I will make a better effort next week.
@AnikaByAnika
November 8, 2010
I just want to say, please don`t feel guilty about not answering us all individually, you are so warm and caring Vahni, we all feel that nonetheless. Have a good week! xx
Anika´s latest post: Flaming June & Anika
@gritandglamour
November 9, 2010
Aw, thank you honey! That is helpful to know. I do really feel obligated to recognize all of you, but some days I just can’t get to everything on my list!
@BonBonRoseGirls
November 8, 2010
Thanks so much for the shout out lady! A good key lime martini does wonders for my mood!
Kristin´s latest post: Chunky Knits Lust
@gritandglamour
November 9, 2010
No worries, doll. You feature so many great things on your blog!
@beautifullyinv
November 8, 2010
This post makes me feel ashamed that I have *gasp* never been to Coney Island!
It also reinforces my belief that developers can be just evil. I am so sorry to hear that they have lost their lease – even I have heard of Paul’s Daughter (and the famous rocket ship!). I wonder if they could apply for landmark status? That is truly what they are. I’m going to try and help spread the word as much as I can.
On a happier topic, congrats on another great feature! I especially loved her reasons to NOT follow you.
Beautifully Invisible´s latest post: Introduction- So You Want to Leave Blogger for WordPress
@gritandglamour
November 9, 2010
Indeed, B. Thank you for helping to spread the word. My family and I appreciate it!
And RE: reasons not to follow me…gotta love her perspective, right! Thank you!
..and drink a Martini Gold by Dolce&Gabbana..
http://leroicoquette.blogspot.com/
@gritandglamour
November 9, 2010
Ah, now THAT is a martini I must try! Merci, Coquette.
AHHH V my darling dearest! I’ve been gone for WAY too long!!! It’s absolutely terrible about your uncle’s place on Coney Island!! I spent quite a bit of my childhood on Coney Island, and recently went back there this summer! I know the rocket!!! I really really hope it can be saved!!! Will def “Like” them on FB! xoxox M
Monique´s latest post: Date night at LOKAL
@gritandglamour
November 12, 2010
Monique, thank you for your sweet comment! You know how special CI is, then. It’s quirky, and nostalgic. Thanks for your support!
un abrazo desde Chile a mis amigos , que Dios los bendiga Paul & Daughter , son una Familia muy especial , de un corazon como pocassonas en el mundo.