A community gathered at the Hammond’s Cove Marina Sunday to rally for a family-owned business in the Bronx to remain open.

City officials told the owners of the Ice House Cafe located in Throggs Neck they would have to shut down April 1. 

Although they submitted a proposal to renew their license agreement in October, the city’s Parks Department called the business on March 7 saying the city accepted a higher operating bid for the marina and they would have to close.

Terry Dambinskas, the current owner, started a petition to keep her business open after she learned another company outbid her.

The petition currently has more than 2,300 signatures.

“This is an extension of my family. I don’t think of this as a business and not having it,” Natasha Dambinskas, the owner’s daughter, said.

Natasha Dambinskas’ family has operated the Ice House Cafe for two decades, but their 20 year license to operate from city expires this year.

The space includes the restaurant, the marina and a mechanic’s shops to fix the boats.  

“We are trying to make Park’s Department reconsider their offer. They want to kick us out with less than three weeks,” Dambinskas said.

Signs at the rally read, “Save our marina and restaurant” and “Bronx strong. Bronx proud.”

Bronx Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez says this beloved family establishment in her district is more than just a restaurant and marina.

“I see how far Terry has worked not only for Ice House but also for the marina, which happens to be one of the most inclusive marinas there are here on this side of the district,” Velázquez said.

Some people at the rally say they come here several times a week.

Jane Kersting says she brings her family of 30 people to the restaurant for Thanksgiving.

“We have a wonderful time and people are so inviting and I have been doing this for two, three years now and I don’t know what we are going to this year,” Kersting said.

“This is terrible that it is being taken away from them,” Bailey Porvetto, who was at the rally, said.

NY1 reached out to the Parks Department for more information on the decision.

In a response, the department mentioned the company behind the winning bid, “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...”