A 20-year fixture in the peninsular neighborhood of Locust Point, Icehouse Café will officially close shop on April 1 making way for a new Hammond’s Cove Marina concessionaire this summer. But the longtime owners are not going quietly as they weigh whether to pursue legal action against the city, which owns the property.
Hammond’s Cove, which sits near the Throgs Neck Bridge, is the only NYC Parks-owned marina in the Bronx. And Icehouse Café owners Terry and Justin Dambinskas allege the city and NYC Parks of acting in “bad faith” during the request for proposals (RFP) bidding process, while also claiming the city hasn’t given them proper time to move out.
Earlier this month, the city awarded a new vendor contract to Busters Bronx Marina Service, which plans to open a new on-site restaurant and programming this summer as part of a $5 million investment into the waterfront property.
The change in vendors shines a light on a unique wrinkle for concessionaires who operate on NYC parkland and marinas. In lieu of lease agreements, vendors sign long-term license agreements, which upon expiration, open the space up to a wide-open RFP bidding process, which is required by city law.
Terry Dambinskas told the Bronx Times that the past month has been “heartbreaking” as she’s been sifting through 20 years of boating equipment and memories, as she prepares to close the doors for good.
“For 20 years we thought we had a good relationship with the city. We closed during the pandemic and made sure our employees were paid. We endured hardships, but we wanted to continue being here for 20 more years because we love this community and the Bronx,” said Justin Dambinskas. “To me, for it to end like this, it’s horses–t.”
The couple signed a 15-year license to operate their café in Hammond’s Cove in 2003, an agreement that included a four-year renewal option. Ahead of the expiration of that four-year extension, NYC Parks opened up the property to…
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