I made my first pilgrimage to Coney Island in a few years recently. Believe it or not I hadn’t had a hotdog since early 2022. Though I don’t intend to return to franks as a staple, I broke my fast with a couple of dogs and some fries at Nathan’s. While I was there, I sat in the outdoors seating area, now the only available seating since indoors had been eliminated, at least in mid-November.
The seating area is in a walkway called Schweickerts Walk, one of a dwindling number of named “walks” between Surf Avenue and the boardwalk. My spelling is correct — I remember a previous enamel sign with the right spelling, and an internet search will tell you why; at least I suspect as much.
A P.H. Schweickert operated a beer bottling company in Coney Island from 1891-1897:
From 1876 to 1884 this bottling company was located at 367 Pearl St. in Brooklyn and operated by Phillip Schweickert. In 1891, Schweickert’s Son, Phillip Schweickert Jr. opened his own bottling company on Coney Island. Schweickert Jr’s looked to operate until 1897.
Though the bottling company was located at Van Sicklen Station/ Neptune Ave. W. 6th St., I’d say it’s quite likely the Schweickerts owned property along Surf Avenue west of Stillwell, where Nathan’s has been located since 1916.
A look at Schweickerts Walk in 1940. The building on the right survived into the 2000s and was razed to allow space for Nathan’s outdoor seating, which is strictly no frills with concrete circular tables and seats.
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12/18/24