Story and photos by Jennifer Goeddeke
Peter Krasnici, proprietor of Hambo Coney Island, would first and foremost describe himself as a family man,
with a strong business sense. Krasnici is young, energetic, and enthusiastic about life, and it certainly shows. He divides his time between running (since 1995) this busy, family-owned business, and his happy marriage of nine years and counting. With three young children to raise (ages two, three and eight), Krasnici is constantly on the go: “…but my personal life with my family makes everything worth it!”
Krasnici has worked his whole career at the one location. “I have been coming here since I was 12 years old!” he explained. “I like what I do, and now have been solo here for two and a half years. My brother Joseph left to run the House of Pancakes in Clinton Township.”
Krasnici’s style is very personal and informal. “I try not to be a harsh boss,” he added, with a big smile. He describes Hambo as being on the less expensive end of the dining spectrum, but with an emphasis on quality and hygiene: “I hate dirtiness with a passion!”
Getting to know his customers is a priority for Krasnici, and he also keeps his radar open to what the younger, “trendier” crowd is leaning towards for breakfast and lunch (currently crepes have been added to the menu, due to popular demand).
The full Hambo menu — which Krasnici completely designed himself — is extensive and includes many new items. It includes various starters;soup/chili; salads; skillets/scramblers; kids menu, plus all the traditional
Coney Island fare. Different specials are also available daily.
Krasnici mentioned that renovations for Hambo are coming very soon; the last improvements were in 1999 and, although the diner looks great to me, he sees the potential for some fresh paint!
His wife Diana often visits with his children; sometimes his eight-year-old daughter Viktoria helps to set up tables. He fondly recalls a time where she recently wrote an order by herself! Krasnici is looking forward to his wife joining him in the running of Hambo once his children are older. At that point, he expects to extend his hours into the evening (currently, Hambo is open until 4pm Monday through Saturday, and until 3pm on Sundays.)
Will his children follow in his footsteps? Krasnici explained, “I chose
the restaurant industry, and I want them to choose whatever path they want, too. If they want to go to college, that’s fine with me!”
Peter would like you to know that they have “good food and good prices,” and it’s a great place to find good people too.
Hambo Coney Island is located at 22900 Woodward Ave, north of 9 Mile Road at Vester, on the east side of the street.
Hambo is open 7 days a week: 8:00 am-4:00 pm Mondays-Saturdays; 8:00 am-3:00 pm, Sundays. They can be reached at: 248.414.9400 or check out a menu via their web site: www.hamboconeyisland.com. MC and Visa accepted. Wednesdays are Coney Days: 99 cent Coneys all day- no limit, no coupon! Breakfast served all day; Party Hosting & Catering Service available.




years. “I’m an East Side Detroit person, and this felt like the old neighborhood. When we moved here it was kind of cool, but so different. Not so hip, but it still had that charm.” Rowe said. Taking a stroll to get pizza at Michigo Pizza and Assaggi Bistro or going shopping on Woodward Avenue are activities she said she will surely miss. She will also miss community-enriching events like the Ferndale Perennial Exchange. “Everybody get together and it was bring-a-plant, take-a-plant. It was always a fun event.” Rowe said.

starting at St. Joan of Arc. He has lived in Las Vegas, Chicago, and up North. “I’ve kind of been all over,” he says.
our menu is not priced like an expensive restaurant…you get a nice environment but you’re not paying the exorbitant price for it.”

circus arts” and expanding soon became inevitable. That is when Maria partnered with Cheryl Willard, a long time Agora aerial instructor, and the two developed a vision for the expansion. John says of the renovated space, “We’ve totally transformed this place. We’ve built everything with our own hands.” He speaks of the massive face-lift given to the old building, adding, “My first line of duty when we bought it was to ‘unblacken’ the interior of theater school.” By coloring the walls, they were able to liven up the ambiance and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
instructor in her home country.” Maria was actually the co-founder and head of the string department for the School for Integral Arts in Venezuela, and a faculty member for El Sistema. Cheryl began teaching and performing as a member of a troupe in 2011. She also started a small aerial arts program around that time. John says, “One of our main goals is to expand our roles as educators.”

consultations are underway, exploring various food options. Revel has a prominent post-industrial theme, and the bar lies adjacent to the entry and event stage, which offers a clear view of the market. The focal point of Revel is the seven-foot terrarium that features carnivorous plants and poison-dart frogs; something unusual and interesting when you want a diversion from people-watching. When asked how they came up with this concept, Chris replied that their basic business philosophy has always been to “Do something cool and interesting, and then figure out a way to make it possible and profitable.”