Michael Caputo, a Town of Hempstead spokesman, confirmed this week that someone applied to the town’s Building Department on March 17 for a permit to open a convenience store at 150 Merrick Road, but Caputo said he could not provide further details about the application or the property before press time.

The office of Town Councilwoman Angie Cullin, who represents the area, referred questions to Michael Deery, the town’s communications director. At press time, the Herald Life had not received a response from Cullin through the town’s staff.

Daruvala said he opposes a 7-Eleven moving in at 150 Merrick Road. He said that the 7-Elevens in Merrick, North Merrick, Freeport and Bellmore were already straining his business, and that another one vying for customers so close by might force him to lay off employees or ultimately go “belly-up.”

“The neighborhood cannot sustain two 7-Elevens within a span of half a mile,” Daruvala said. “… It doesn’t have enough parking available, and I think the community is right because it’s right across [from] the school.”