James
Vincent "Jimmy" Merry (August 19, 1928 – 1987) was an American entrepreneur.
The life of this person has been researched by Esther Newton for her essay:
"Cherry Grove, Fire Island", published by Duke University Press.
Queer
Place:
2831 Valentine Ave, The Bronx, NY 10458
The Blue Parrot Café, 162 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022
Sea Shack, Lewis Walk, Cherry Grove, NY 11782
Cherry
Grove Beach Hotel, 1 Ocean Walk, Fire Island, NY 11782
Ice Palace,
57 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
James
Vincent "Jimmy" Merry (August 19, 1928 – 1987) was an American entrepreneur.
The life of this person has been researched by Esther Newton for her essay:
"Cherry Grove, Fire Island", published by Duke University Press.
James Vincent "Jimmy" Merry was born in Brooklyn, New York. Merry found work in the early 1950s mafia-owned bar scene on Manhattan’s east side. Merry was bartending at gay male bars, like the Swan and the Blue Parrot, along Lexington Avenue from 45th to 60th Street that patrons called the Bird Circuit.
In 1956 Ernesto Tenente (February 18, 1920 - January, 1988) approached Jimmy Merry, a fellow worker at the Intermezzo, a gay men’s bar in Manhattan about opening a place in Cherry Grove. Jimmy Merry went into the venture with his friend Kenny Hoerig, also a bartender at gay bars around the city. The original Sea Shack was nothing more than a small house converted to a bar and restaurant, but under Jimmy Merry’s management it became the true successor to Duffy’s.
Jimmy Merry also ran the Cherry Grove Hotel, as gay establishments. During the early sixties, Jimmy hired black gay singer, host, and bar manager Jimmie Daniels to manage the Tiffany Room restaurant.
In 1978 Jimmy Merry expanded on the Ice Palace name by opening in New York City. It was located at 57 West 57th Street (and 6th Ave.). It was perhaps most well known for its “Tea Dances” every Sunday afternoon. Opened in 1977-1985.
My published books:
