Sea Gull’s Nest Will Not Reopen
“Raise your hand if this is your first time here,” Eddie Segall religiously started off his nightly sunset ceremonies at the Sea Gull’s Nest. “Now raise your hand if this is your last time here,” Segall barked as 10’s of customers raised their hands in laughter, just as they had the night or the week before. The joke never got old.
We’ve raised our hands, sung God Bless American along with a Kate Smith recording and watched the octogenarian Segall challenge much younger men to 50 push ups for the last time.
Sandy, and the federal bureaucracy, has claimed the iconic Monmouth County attraction that was a favorite of tourists and locals alike.
The Sea Gull’s Nest at Sandy Hook will not be reopening, according to a report on Highlandsblog. The blog quotes Daphne Yun, spokesperson for Gateway National Recreation Area, ” the lease for the popular Sea Gull’s Nest Restaurant has not been renewed. Sea Gull’s Nest will not be reopened.”
Eddie Segall and his family operated the concession on Sandy Hook starting in 1962 when it was a State Park. In 1996, the National Park Service, which took over the park in 1972, replaced The Nest, as regulars called it, an elevated wooden deck with trailers for bathrooms, with the “permanent” concrete structure that regulars hated when it was built but came to love.
We didn’t love the food, except the overpriced hot dogs. Frequently we didn’t remember the drinks. We loved the breath taking views of the sun setting over the Raritan Bay.
More than that, we loved Eddie Segall’s contagious patriotism. We loved watching the staff grow up over the years, or grow older with us.
Eddie Segall honored the troops before it was cool. After 9/11 he expanded his honor roll to first responders and police. To anyone who put their lives on the line for Americans’ freedom and safety.
Segall told The New York Times last August that he saw the end coming.
“It just feels like the end,” said Mr. Segall, 85, on the empty deck of the Sea Gulls’ Nest, a restaurant damaged by Hurricane Sandy and facing a maddeningly complex series of bureaucratic hurdles blocking it from reopening. “This year’s completely gone, and next year, who knows? We’d like to be back. Hopefully they’ll put these buildings back together, and we’ll have a chance to stay here, but honestly, it doesn’t look very good.
The Sea Gull’s Nest, Eddie, his wife Natalie, daughter Tina Cros, and son Scott will long be remembered for the special experiences they provided so many at Sandy Hook.
I’ve brought my children there, now my grandchildren. Have enjoyed the sunsets and great people.
Ed Segal is not only an icon because of “the Nest”, he is a hero and philanthropist in our community.
We love Ed and his family and wish all good.
Debi
Mr. Segall, Thnk U ,family & staff for ur Patriotism & community service. Appreciate ur continued support of SBMC Burn Ctr. All the best to U & Urs. Hope to enjoy the Eagle Nest once again in near future. B Safe !!
What a shame.We got married at the nest 2005.Special memories. The Kesslers
Closing the Seagull’s Nest is a darn shame. Ah those beautiful sunsets, looking back and forth in between the Oceanic and the ship lines and all the river activity looking West. We will miss most of all the friendship, Patriotism, and the tradition of the family run business. The Hook won’t be the same.
Best to the Segall family and thank you.
We had many good times at “the nest” I am sure Ed will always remember fondly the many people from G beach and the best thong contests we had on Saturday nights.
G beach was his most profitable areas.
Be well Eddy you had a great run…
Dear Eddie … such amazing memories over the years … God bless
Closing the Seagull’s Nest was a terrible thing to do – and it hurt many, many people. There is no good reason that the government can justify doing this and not letting the family continue on with the legacy that they have created and that New Jersey deserves to have.
I wish everyone in the family the best, no one should be treated this way – in the end everyone suffers. So much for appreciation.
Love –
I have friends who got engaged there on the summer solstice and go back each year to celebrate it!!! Where will they go??? Sad to hear it.