By Nick Buglione
A spokeswoman for the convenience store chain said the company is ironing out details with the owner of the property, at East Meadow and Prospect avenues, across from Veterans Memorial Park.
"We're very early in the process," said the spokeswoman, Margaret Chabris. It's not yet known when construction might begin or when the store will open, she said.
Richard Cambi, owner of G.F. Auto Repair, has leased the property for the 18 years he has been in business there. He told the Herald he intended to renew his lease and was unaware that the property owner was negotiating a deal with 7-Eleven.
According to Chabris, 7-Eleven is looking to lease the property and work out a deal in which the owner will finance the construction of the convenience store. "I know that our local real-estate manager has been working with the East Meadow Civic and Community Service Association," she said, noting that the corporation wants the community to be involved in the process.
Robert Zafonte, the civic association president, said he has been in contact with 7-Eleven officials, who agreed to make a public presentation at an association meeting once all the details have been finalized.
Although he said the East Meadow Civic Association has yet to take a stance on a 7-Eleven possibly opening on East Meadow Avenue, Zafonte predicts it'll be hotly debated. "I think it's going to be a very big thing because of the logistics of where this is," he said. Traffic is heavy and parking is scarce on East Meadow Avenue, a hodgepodge of commercial and residential properties.
Citing traffic and parking concerns, East Meadow residents came out in force against the Long Island Muslim Society's proposal last year to erect a two-story mosque on the thoroughfare, not far from the potential 7-Eleven site. The Muslim Society is currently re-working its plan.
Already there are rumblings of opposition among residents and other local business owners. The Hatzelmans, the family that owns the Meadow Dairy across Prospect Avenue from G.F. Auto Repair, have expressed concerns about the impact a 7-Eleven would have on the smaller businesses. "It just seems so unfair that we let all these big corporations come in and take over," Roseanne Hatzelman said. "It's just unfortunate that in our small town you can't have small businesses."
Her husband, Ernie, first opened Meadow Dairy 40 years ago, and it has been a staple in the community ever since. Hatzelman said she was just as concerned for the other small markets and delis along East Meadow Avenue. "In all honesty, [we've] had the same customers for 40 years, and I don't think they'll leave," Hatzelman said.
There are already four 7-Elevens in the East Meadow area, on Merrick Avenue, Newbridge Road, North Jerusalem Road and Hempstead Turnpike.
Other residents are worried that opening a 7-Eleven could turn the corner of East Meadow and Prospect avenues into a late-night hangout, especially considering its proximity to Veterans Memorial Park. The vast majority of 7-Elevens are open 24 hours, Chabris said, and it's likely this one woulf be too.
If the 7-Eleven does move in, it will have to get variance for a sign from the Hempstead Town Board of Zoning Appeals, Zafonte said. He noted that 7-Eleven has already applied for the variance, and the board was set to make its decision about a month ago. That hearing was adjourned, however, after Zafonte urged the board not to make a decision until 7-Eleven's entire site plan is revealed, he said.
