Will Staten Island Ferry concessions return? Here’s the latest.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The days of ferry snacks and beers may again be on the horizon.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) shut down the concession stands on the Staten Island Ferry, removing a staple for travelers heading across the New York Harbor. However, as the days of overwhelming cases and hospitalizations have passed, the snack stands have remained shuttered.

While announcing a monumental new contract for ferry workers on Monday, Mayor Eric Adams was asked about the lack of food options on the borough’s orange vessels.

At first, Adams seemed unsure what was causing the stands to not be in operation.

“What’s closing them?” he asked.

Shortly after, city Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez chimed in.

“We definitely are committed to bring them back, those concessions back. And as a result of COVID, everything was on hold,” said Rodriguez. “What we do at DOT is we do all the leasing through EDC, and we’re going to be working with the city to work with those concessions.”

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) typically awards concessions through a competitive open bid process. A spokeswoman for the agency said a request for proposals is expected to be released in the near future.

Food and drinks are available at both the St. George and Whitehall terminals, but the boats have not had a vendor in recent years.

Adams was fervent for the need to bring back the concessions.

“Listen, we’re going to get them open,” said Adams. “We can’t live in this perpetual COVID … I’m going to dig down and I’m going to find out what’s keeping them closed.”

Adams said the pandemic “is in our rearview mirror,” adding, “I want something to eat when I go across the ferry.”