Since closing in the mid-1990s, the landmark Original Coney Island Restaurant and Bar on St. Peter Street in downtown St. Paul has occasionally opened for special events.
Now, the spot with a cult following is opening its doors once again — on Feb. 1 — to mark a family milestone. And there will be even more cause for celebration, as the event coincides with the “Coolest Celebration On Earth,” or the St. Paul Winter Carnival, which runs Jan. 23 through Feb. 2.
“In celebration of our family’s 100th year of ownership of The Original Coney Island … both the Tavern Art Deco Bar and the Cafe (will be) open,” said Mary Arvanitis, who owns the building with her siblings. And, “The St. Paul Winter Carnival is one of our downtown favorite events.”
And yes, the family’s famous Original Coney Island hot dogs will be served. Both the cafe and tavern will be open. The bar side will feature wine as well as craft and domestic beer and liquors while the cafe side will serve hot dogs, chips, pop and non-alcoholic beverages. Doors will open from 2 p.m. until at least 11 p.m. — even if they sell out of original Coney Islands. The first 100 patrons that day also will receive an Original Coney Island T-shirt.
The siblings and their family have had a long history with the space built in 1858 and listed as downtown St. Paul’s oldest commercial building by the Minnesota Historical Society. The space — a pair of 19th century storefronts — also served as an armory during the Civil War.
The Arvanitis family has owned the property since 1920. Nick Arvanitis opened the Original Coney Island in 1923. After his death, his wife, Frances, continued to run the restaurant until 1994.
The Arvanitis children continue to own the buildings and have opened up the Original Coney Island space for special events over the years. In addition to the February celebration, Arvanitis said there are other chances to stop by and enjoy the space — and possibly a Coney even — throughout the year that people don’t always know about.
“I do open more than once a year to the general public and I post it, but it’s intermittent and not on a regular basis,” she said. Arvanitis said she’ll typically post it on the Original Coney Island Restaurant and Bar Facebook page.
In addition, “I do private events,” she said. “And I also link with the Landmark Center to do vintage tours and people on the tour end up here and having a Coney.”
Original Coney Island Restaurant and Bar: 444 St. Peter St., St. Paul; facebook.com/OriginalConeyIsland
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