Coney Island street renamed in honor of Nathan’s Famous founders
‘Nathan and Ida Handwerker Way’ at Corner of Surf and Stillwell Aves.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island officially became Nathan and Ida Handwerker Way in tribute to the founders of Nathan’s Famous on the eatery’s 100th anniversary.
Nathan’s started out as a 5-by-8-foot hot dog stand in 1916 in Coney Island. The restaurant was founded by Nathan Handwerker. Nathan, a Polish immigrant, was born in 1892. He emigrated from Poland to New York in 1912 and found work at the Coney Island restaurant Feltman’s German Gardens. A true entrepreneur, Handwerker decided to open his own business, a small stand, where he would concentrate on hot dogs and sell them for a nickel, while Feltman’s was selling them for a dime. He spent his entire lifesavings of $300 to open Nathan’s Famous.
Ida Greenwald was born in Poland on Sept. 27, 1897. She came to the U.S. as a teenager and settled in Brooklyn with her family. Ida, also a hard worker, was employed at another food stand where she was noticed by Nathan. He observed her work ethic and eventually hired her to work for him. They fell in love and were married in October of 1918.