The Ice House Café, a Bronx staple located in Throgs Neck, says it is being forced to close the business with little notice.  

The restaurant has been a part of the Bronx community for 20 years. The family-owned business says it was given a notice on March 7 from the New York City Parks Department that it must close by April 1, the day that the licensing agreement for the restaurant’s property is set to expire.  

The restaurant says its proposal to keep renting at the Hammond's Cove Marina was passed over for a higher bidder, as the Parks Department has found a new owner to take over the marine.  

While the new agreement requires a restaurant occupy the space, the family says the community wants the Ice House Café to stay.  

“This is going to stay a marine, it’s not about that,” said Natasha Dambinskas, daughter of the owner of Ice House Café. “The community is really upset that it’s taken away from my family.” 

News 12 reached out to the Parks Department and received the following statement: 

“After an exhaustive RFP process, as mandated by City Law, we have selected Buster’s Marina as the new operator for Locust Point. We thank the former operators and look forward to partnering with Busters as they begin their term and bring a significant $5 million investment and new programming to Hammond's Cove Marina, the onsite restaurant, and the Bronx at large."   

The Ice House Café says it plans to post a petition online in a last-ditch effort to keep the business running.