Thursday, October 29, 2026
Broadway, one of the main roads that run through Hewlett and Woodmere, is undergoing noticeable change. Cleared storefronts, active construction sites and new signage are hints of new businesses soon to open. Over the past year, several new establishments have already arrived, with more expected in the coming months, signaling a broad revitalization effort along the commercial strip.
Throughout the summer, construction crews have been cleaning out old spaces and renovating them, preparing for new tenants.
David Friedman, president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association for the past 10 years, said he was thrilled by the activity.
“We’re very excited about the new businesses that have joined us, and the ones that are in the process right now,” he said. “There is more variety for the community and the consumers, and of course every new business is supporting our local economy, our schools and employing people, and these things are all very important to having a vibrant community.”
Ready Coffee, a Hudson Valley-based chain, is opening a new location at 1600 Broadway in Hewlett. The outlet is replacing Dairy Barn, part of a chain of Long Island convenience stores founded in 1939 by Edgar Cosman.
Ready Coffee, which opened its first store in Wappingers Falls in 2019, expanded to Long Island last year, opening in Baldwin in November. Since then the franchise has added locations in Glen Cove, Lynbrook, North Baldwin and Freeport. The company lists the Hewlett location as “coming soon” on both its website and Instagram page, but has not announced an opening date.
Ready Coffee Founder Jed Bonnem said last September that the building’s design would be similar to the Dairy Barn, and that he was excited to bring his company to Long Island. “It’s a design that our customers have really come to love — it’s a fresh design and really updates the site,” he said. “We make really great craft coffee and (have great) service, so we think it’s going to be a great fit for Long Island, where people have busy lives and want great coffee and service.”
Neighboring businesses are also showing support for the new coffee shop. Terri Maher, head of human resources at Phil’s Body Works located at 1623 Broadway, next to the new Ready Coffee, said she’s excited to see the area coming back to life.
“I think it is going to be great for the area,” Maher said. “I hate to see any places empty, I think it makes the town look terrible when there are places that are empty and their not taking care of the property. I am looking forward to it because there is really not a close place to get a cup of coffee around here unless you go to 7/11.”
Drivers passing the Hewlett Crossing shopping strip, at 1296–1340 Broadway in Hewlett, may have noticed several vacant storefronts. Regency Center, a real estate investment trust that develops and operates high-quality shopping centers in suburban areas across the country, owns Hewlett Crossing.
According to Friedman and the Regency Centers website, 1296 Broadway, previously a Petco store, will be replaced by NetCost Market, a supermarket chain whose mission is to provide families of diverse ethnic makeups that surround theirs store with food imported from around the world.
Friedman added that the property at 1338 Broadway, previously a Duane Reade pharmacy and convenience store, is being divided into two or three smaller spaces for new businesses. The business association announced its closure in the spring, after its parent company, Walgreens, announced that it would shutter 1,200 stores across the country.
Club Pilates, a national fitness franchise, will take over part of the former pharmacy, according to Friedman and Regency Center. The 2,200-square-foot studio will open next to Walls’ Bake Shop, though no timeline has been announced. No one has leased the remaining property, and the Regency Center website still lists it as available for purchase.
Have an opinion on new businesses coming into the Five Towns? Send a letter to mberman@liherald.com.
