Coney Island's Overhaul

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Central Amusement International is trying to revamp Coney Island into something better than Disney, and will be closing seven boardwalk shops by the end of the summer to do so. According to the company's president, Valerio Ferrari: "We will never make Disney here. But it will be something more...refined, cleaner. A little more year-round, if it's possible, with sit-down restaurants and sports bars." One of the shops getting the ax is Coney Island Souvenirs, and So Chung Suh—the mother of the owner—is a little peeved: "They're taking the store away; I hate them." [NY Times]