Season ends but Coney Island continues

The iconic, family-run businesses on the boardwalk in Coney Island feared they would shut forever when the season finished this week. But it seems the developers looking to revamp one of New York's old entertainment sites might have to give the businesses there another summer, at least.

Amusement Central International, which runs the Luna Park and the boardwalk, is now renegotiating leases after the company it chose to run the proposed modern franchises on the boardwalk unexpectedly pulled out. The poor economy has been blamed.

The oldest diner on the boardwalk, Ruby's Grill, which has been serving customers since the 1930s, may well survive as long as it pledges to refurbish its premises.

But it may be too late for other old favourites. Cha Cha's, for example, already sold its furniture on the boardwalk on Tuesday.

This Coney Island saga has been going on for two years. A number of businesses were evicted in 2010 when Central Amusement took over. Seven of them, known as the "Coney Island 7", fought the decision in court last year. They won the right to stay open one last season, which ended at the weekend.

So what does the future hold for the roller coasters, cotton candy and the famously bizarre Freak Show of Coney Island?

Produced by Anna Bressanin