Hello, I am doing a project on Worcester during World War II and so far in talking to people Coney Island has come up a very good amount so I thought I would stop by and see what George’s Coney Island was all about.

What would you like to know?

Is the way everything is now and the booths, etc. the way that it was during World War II or has a lot changed?

Everything is as it has been since 1938. 

Is that when the restaurant was established?

No.  It was established in 1918 and it began in the corner of the lot right next store with six arm chairs.  And then in the twenties we moved into the front part of the space we currently occupy, still with the six chairs.  This area was originally a blacksmith’s shop and behind this area, the main part of the building was used to house the horses that pulled the city trolleys.  However with the invention of electricity there was no longer any need for the horses and so soon afterwards in early 1938 the building went up for auction. 

Wow - That is pretty amazing.

Like I said, when there was no longer any need for the building as far as storing horses goes, the building was put up for auction.  Unfortunately at that time my father-in-law did not have enough money to buy the building and so he had no intentions of trying for the building.  However, there was a man that owned a rug factory down near Rotman’s – Mr. Whitall, and he had taken a liking to my father-in-law and he kept saying bid on the building, I will loan you the money, just put an offer in on the building.  That was how convinced he was that my father-in-law deserved and could make good on this building.  In the end however he couldn’t convince my father-in-law to make the risky move and so he went and bid on the building himself.  He then worked out an arrangement with my father-in-law and we have been here ever since.

So everything is the same as it was in 1938?

We haven’t made any major changes.  In fact people come from all around to find their name that they added to the booths in the dining room, and we’ve never covered them up or altered them.  We still have the original booths and counter.  Of course it was a little different back then because times have changed.  Back then we used to be open till 4:00am and the soldiers would come from Fort Devens and young people would come after dancing or a movie.  We used to be so crowded that there was a stone wall that ran along the opposite side of the street and folks would end up having to sit out there along the wall eating their hot dogs.

That must have been something to see.  I know just from interviewing people that Coney Island was one of the places that they enjoyed the most.

The sign is another thing that was put up in 1940 and hasn’t changed.  It was made by a Russian immigrant who came to American to escape Communism.  And he created the sign using my father-in-law’s hand.  And the sign has become just as memorable as the restaurant.  In fact I was in Paris at the Louvre for my honeymoon and there was a picture of the sign, hanging up in Paris.

That must have been quite a shock to see.  I haven’t really introduced myself, my name is Melissa.  Do you think I could get your name so that I can reference all this information?

My name is Father Solon Tsandikos; I’m a priest – retired.

Wow.

I am Greek Orthodox though - do you know what that means?  (Puzzled expression on my part)  It means that I could get married.

Oh, I see.  So your wife’s parents started Coney Island and . . .

Right and they are no longer with us.  When they passed away my wife and I ran it for awhile and now our daughter and her husband run the restaurant. 

And speaking of daughter she appears and notices the big line of costumers that has formed while I have been talking to Father Tsandikas and he and I , both sensing that it would be better to end now, before we are both in trouble (he is currently supposed to be working behind the counter) thank each other and smile.