Detroit's Original Coney Island
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- Detroit's Original Coney Island
Mobile food trailer operation. We primarily operate from our new permanent location, which is the parking lot of the Old Jorgi’s Supermarket, located at 1325 W.
(54)
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Grand Rapids, MI
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Our Story
Our owner, William Drake, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He has fond memories of his father taking him as a child to the now closed Lucas Coney Island, which was located on Plymouth Rd/Burt Rd on Detroit’s west side. He also remembers his father bringing home Coney’s, Loose Burgers, Chili Fries, and ice-cold Vernors ginger ale in glass bottles. As he grew older and became a Detroit Police Officer, he was a loyal customer of Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island, which are located next door to one another just outside of Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit.
In November 2005, William relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and joined the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. William became homesick and dismayed at the lack of Coney Island’s in South Florida, so in May 2007, he moved a little closer to home and settled down in Fort Wayne, Indiana. William patronized a Coney Island in Fort Wayne and was inspired to open one of his own. In June 2011, he opened Detroit’s Finest Coney Island in Fort Wayne. In November 2012, he decided to close the business to become an Operations Manager at Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne, Inc. While there, William was heavily influenced by the late-owner, Dick Freeland’s passion for superior customer service. In the fall of 2013, William met his wife, Syreeta, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In January 2014, William relocated back to his home state of Michigan and settled down in Kentwood, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Cornerstone University in 2016, and his Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University in 2018.
Due to the encouragement from Syreeta, and William noticing a void of an authentic Detroit-style Coney Island in the Grand Rapids area, he decided to become an entrepreneur again and reopen his dream. On February 21, 2018, Detroit’s Original Coney Island was organized as a company. Detroit’s Original Coney Island is a mobile food trailer concept that has the flexibility to meet the demands of its customers. Detroit’s Original Coney Island will only serve premium-quality meals and will always serve its customers in the Spirit of Excellence!
Detroit’s Original Coney Island is a law enforcement and veteran-owned company. William proudly served in the United States Army, and was honorably discharged in 1999. He also served in the Michigan National Guard, and was honorably discharged in 2002. William is a 12 year law enforcement veteran, having served with the Detroit Police Department, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, and the Fort Wayne Police Department. You can bet that your Coney’s will be safe under his watch! SMILE!
