Hello Ed,
You have a good memory.
Sodamat was located on the Boardwalk at West 15th Street and it burned down in 1973; Murray Zarret's Animal Nursery was located on Surf Avenue and West 5th Street (pictured) and then moved to Surf and Stillwell; the Atlantis is now Cha-Cha's nightclub on the Boardwalk at Stillwell. Here are some photos to jog your memory.
Comments
My father sang at the Atlantis in the 50's. He was known as Jimmy James, the Brooklyn Cowboy.
The Atlantis
My grandparents owned the Atlantis on the boardwalk in the 1940s, 50, 60s and sold it in the 1970s, I believe. My grandmother was Nathan Handwerker's (Nathans) sister. My father tended bar in the summer and I remember the singing cowboy very well.
The Atlantis/Coney Island
My dad owned the Atlantis Bar in the mid-late 60’s. My sister and I worked there. I worked the corner stand on a few holiday weekends and my sister tended bar through her summers home from college. I vividly remember Wayne, the singing cowboy. Watching Ken Burns’ special on country music reignited fond memories.
I’d love to compare notes since the chronology of ownership isn’t the same. In any case, it would be fun to revisit.
Laurie
My mother took me to sea cowboy singer named Wayne Weston . He was a fairly good singer but always sounded better after you had about 3 bottles of beer. Whatever became of Wayne ? We knew him as The Oklahoma Kid. I know he sang there in the Atlantis bar through out 1950's and !960's.
Wayne Weston was my father. After his days at the Atlantis he worked at several other nightspots around the city before he passed away at the young age of 53. He enjoyed entertaining people and it's nice to see that he's remembered by folks outside the immediate family.
Best regards.
Hello! Thank you for the wonderful pictures. Just wondering if you have any other pictures of the Sodamat or if you can possibly send me the larger file for the picture above? Great website. Thank you for the memories.
Best,
Charles
Dear Charles Denison,
I love your book and this site. I wrote an illustrated (with my paintings) novel that takes place in C.I. in 1957 and your work was invaluable to me in research and a joy to read. My agent is looking for a publisher for it now. I was wondering if I could post some of your photographs on the blog of my web site or if not on my Facebook page.
Thanks so much. You’ve been a great inspiration to me.
Sheila Martin,
Sheilapmartin.com
Wayne "Weston" was my dad. He passed away in 1975 from a heart attack. My earliest memories are of going to Coney Island to meet him after his set(s) at the Atlantis. He always enjoyed playing for the folks in Coney Island. The last few years of his life he played in other areas of town.
The Singing Cowboy
I was born in 1958, Brooklyn.
My mother and I used to take the subway to Coney Island during the summer.
Step off the train, the smell of hot tar from the railroad ties on the el and the salt air breeze wafting down from the ramps to the Boardwalk.
Never will forget it, it is burned into my memory.
I distinctly remember the Singing Cowboy.
I was in total awe, maybe 5 to 7 years old.
He looked about eight feet tall standing on a raised stage.
My mother wasn't about to take me into a bar, especially back in those days.
Still, the Singing Cowboy was easy to see because out on the Boardwalk you could look in and see everything.
Just so happy to find this posts, but bittersweet.
My mother passed away when i was nine.
...but those memories, good times.
Family owned concession under the boardwalk
In the late 40s early 50s I remember my parents working at a family owned hot dog, sandwich, soda beach consession. I can still smell the surf and hotdogs.
Wayne Weston
When you got off the subway, you walked through a series of stores and could smell hamburgers and taffy among other things. You'd walk down towards the Boardwalk and Wayne would be broadcast. As you passed the concessions (one of which had a bird which would pick out your fortune from a cage) you would hear any given number. I recall all around the water tower, just waiting for a train. Wayne couldn't yodel well, but he did a good job of it. He'd know the oldies like Take an Old Cold Tater and Wait (truly). My mother and I had many a Rheingold at the bar. Hymie was a waiter there and they had bands and go--go dancers in the back too. Wayne was a gentleman through and through. I have a shot glass from the Atlantis: it boasts of a revolving sun deck. But the main attraction for me would always be The Oklahoma Kid. I'm thrilled to see others remember him.
Looking for that elusive Eddie's fascination t-shirt.
Had a significant impact on my life. Met my wife playing that game.
Coney island worked there sang there.
Surf Club sang there
Add new comment