Coney Island thrill seekers have shot their last freak.
The operators of the new Luna Park told nine longtime boardwalk businesses to get out by Nov. 15 — clearing the way for their new vision of a cleaner, more sanitized Coney Island amusement district.
Only three mainstays will remain, mingling with new tenants like a sit-down restaurant and a sports bar.
Out are beachfront bastions like Ruby’s Bar and Grill, Shoot the Freak, Cha Cha’s Bar, Gregory & Paul’s, Grill House, Coney Island Souvenirs and Gyro Corner, as well as newer concessions like Beer Island and the Pio Pio Riko Peruvian food stand. They were told their leases were not being renewed through vacate notices signed by Valerio Ferrari, president for the park’s operator, Zamperla USA.
The surviving businesses are a boardwalk satellite of Nathan’s Famous, The Beach Shop and the Lola Staar Souvenir Boutique.
In another game changer, which The Post reported last month, there will be a new operator next summer for the landmark Cyclone roller coaster — with Zamperla a favorite to get that city lease as well.
Carol Hill Albert, former operator of the now-defunct Astroland Park, is giving up control of the Cyclone after 35 years because it is losing money.
While they knew their tenure was hanging by a thread, news of the lease rejections yesterday hit many boardwalk business owners hard.
Some accused the city — which owns the property and leased it out long term — and Zamperla of forcing gentrification on the amusement district at the expense of giving up Coney Island’s famously freaky character.
“I’m devastated,” said Melody Sarrel, owner of Ruby’s, which opened in 1934. “[Zamperla] wants everything new, but that’s not what Coney Island’s about — it’s about nostalgia.
“People in the summer love to come in for a drink in their bikinis and bathing suits. It won’t be the same when they’re told to dress up because it’s a ‘high-class place.’ ”
Anthony Berlingieri, owner of the Shoot the Freak attraction and sandy Beer Island, said he was considering legal action because Zamperla staff told him they were shutting down Beer Island to replace it with a similar beach bar.
“They’re going to steal my idea, after I put a lot of time and money and built it up over the past three years,” he said.
Brooklyn Brewery is the favorite to operate the new beer garden, sources said.
Ferrari issued a statement saying the company looks “forward to creating an incredible new experience on the boardwalk, while continuing to honor Coney Island’s magnificent past.”
The city last year bought the Astroland site, the boardwalk business space and an adjacent Stillwell Avenue lot from developer Joe Sitt – who regularly flirted with shutting the businesses down — after Sitt lost a power struggle with the city over his failed bid to build a Vegas-glitz entertainment center there.
The Bloomberg administration then handed Zamperla subsidiary Central Amusement International a 10-year lease to the 6.2 acres of prime land, and CAI used half of it to open the 19-ride Luna Park in May. It was a huge success drawing more crowds to the boardwalk than it has seen in nearly five decades, according to the city.
Zamperla next summer also plans to open a “Scream Zone” at the Stillwell Avenue lot that includes two roller coasters and two other rides geared for teens.