You Scratch My Back, I'll Scratch Yours: Astroland & Thor Get It On

Apparently, impending doom is good for business. According to the New York Post, Coney Island is having a grand ol’ summer, raking in the bucks thanks to New Yorkers’ advanced case of nostalgia. The paper recently surveyed 12 boardwalk businesses, 11 of which predict that this season’s [profits may well exceed] last season’s, with business increasing by 20 to 35 percent over the last year for some. Back in November, Thor Equities announced it would be buying [Astroland](http://www.astroland.com/) to turn it into a [$1.5 billion Vegas-style resort](http://www.nypress.com/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=57805175). It must be difficult to have such a complicated, love-hate relationship with your future Lex Luther.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports that Thor Equities is in negotiations to buy the land currently occupied by Deno’s [Wonder Wheel Park] for [$11 million](http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=27&id=14099), making Thor the proud owner of nearly all the property in Coney Island’s amusement district, should the deal go through. Dennis Vourderis says he was told last month that he had 30 days to out-bid Thor. It’s now more than 30 days later.

While Astroland, which sits on land Thor has already bought for $30 million, could likely close permanently by the end of this summer, Vourderis told the paper that his lease lasts another 13 years: “For me, it doesn’t matter who I cut my rent checks to, whether it be Thor Equities or Ward Realty, it makes the same difference to me.” Even if Thor’s offer is accepted, the land couldn’t be developed until the year 2020. Unless of course, oh I don’t know, the big guy finds a way to weasel the little guy out of what’s his. But no worries, that never happens.

Photo courtesy of [keepon on Flickr]