Shame On The MTA And Thor Equities For Kicking Out A Coney Luminary

Jeers goes to Thor Equities as well as the Manhattan Transit Authority for failing to protect one of Coney's achievers. One who has demonstrated to have the qualifications that are needed to really save the character of Coney Island. A doer, an entrepreneur, a dreamer, and an eccentric in her own right: Dianna Carlin a.k.a. Lola Staar.

Lola Staar and her fabulous little pink boutique has been squeezed up between other thriving businesses on the Coney Island boardwalk for years. It was the only operator who was denied a lease for the 2009 summer season and carelessly evicted. She's been blamed for speaking out against her landlord, developer Joe Sitt and Thor Equities.

A new home in Coney Island for the boutique was to open at the Stillwell Avenue station on Surf Avenue but due to the MTA's inapt an dslug-paced 'review process'. They have not given her any indication of when she'll be able open her store at the station.

Dianna Carlin and her Lola Staar boutique has been forced into exile and out of Coney Island. She's been given the boot. She will now operate out of the 'The Brooklyn Flea' in Fort Greene.

In a press release Carlin explains, in part:

"If Joe Sitt had true intentions of developing the Amusement District and creating alluring attractions like what he professes his 'Flea by the Sea' is going to be, he would encourage creative artists like myself to set up shop there, instead he has forced my business out of Coney Island and into the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene" said Dianna.

This weekend will be Lola Staar's grand opening in the Brooklyn Flea!! 'The Brooklyn Flea' is committed to supporting artists and small entrepreneurs. Since it's inception in 2008, they have featured 150+ vendors of vintage furniture, clothing, collectibles and antiques, as well as new jewelry, art and crafts by local artisans, plus delicious food. It is open from 10am to 5pm—rain or shine—every Saturday. "Joe Sitt has a thing or two to learn from the shining success of the 'Brooklyn Flea'!" said Dianna Carlin "I am really excited to be able to sell my adorable Coney Island tee shirts there!!"

Thor Equities claims they are genuinely concerned with keeping Coney Island very Coney Island. But caring less about keeping a bustling Astroland amusement park to put in less of the same and caring less about keeping a unique flavor of Coney that is Lola Staar simply shows that their intentions after all may be to dupe Coney Island for what it stands for and simply a tactic for profit at any costs.

The MTA is a city agency that seems to be in disconnect with city officials who claim they want to preserve Coney Island's future. According to the press release, they have displayed the same lack of care that Thor Equities has for Coney Island.

Creative artists, entrepreneurs who dare to dream and turn them into reality is what Coney Island desperately needs more of not less.

The full press release can be viewed here.

Lola Staar's Dreamland Rollerrink will still be open and rolling for the summer.