By Dana Williams
While some people waited on line to purchase their digital cameras and DVD players, others, especially teenagers, walked through the aisles to browse through the electronic retailer's CD and video game collection.
Many community leaders are hoping that the store - formerly a Waldbaums supermarket - is a part of a new business boom in town. Just nearby on Grand Avenue and Merrick Road in Baldwin, the Town of Hempstead is planning a revitalization project that is expected to bring in other national retailers like Best Buy, and a brand-new Toyota dealership is expected to open on Sunrise Highway later this year.
Baldwin residents and businesses in the shopping center have been waiting since Waldbaums closed its doors last December for Best Buy's arrival, and for many, it was worth the wait. On a recent Friday, the roughly 32,000 square-foot store was bustling with shoppers.
"My wife usually does all the shopping, but this is my second time visiting the Best Buy here in Baldwin, and I'm glad the store made its way to Baldwin," said Baldwin resident Lee Willett, who has lived in town for more than 20 years. "Best Buys are all around Long Island, and I was here the day it opened and it was a packed house."
Many are hoping that Best Buy will encourage residents from other nearby towns to visit and shop in Baldwin, such as Freeport resident Atkin Pace. Pace, who has lived in Freeport for 18 years, said he was very happy that he no longer had to drive to Westbury to shop at Best Buy.
"This store is on Sunrise Highway, which is always busy, so a lot of people are going to be coming to Baldwin now," he added. "I like what I see here, so I will come again."
"The fact that Best Buy is here in Baldwin means that high technology has come to the South Shore of Long Island," added Bill Novack, a Rockville Centre resident. "I'm looking forward to enjoying this great source of electronics, and I don't have to go very far to come here, so I'll continue to visit here."
Many business owners at the shopping center agreed that they have seen new customers since the store's opening on Aug. 24. "We had a new customer that came into the store today, and he spent $500," said Dave Ramdhanny, owner of T&T Wines and Liquors store. "I'm not sure if he came here because he was at Best Buy, but we hope so. We're happy Best Buy is here, and we do see signs that the store is going to make a difference in our business, but it's going to take time."
Best Buy officials did not return calls for comment at press time, and store employees said they were not allowed to talk to reporters. But other local business owners praised having a national retail giant as an anchor.
"There's a lot of new people coming here, and walking around the shopping center, and I love it," added Laura Hetzel, co-owner of Amore Mio Restaurant and Pizzeria, located a few doors down from Best Buy. "I did have a lot of new faces that came in here to eat, and I think it has to be because of Best Buy."
Many said that the opening of Best Buy couldn't have come at a better time.
In July, Baldwin was named one of the top 100 places to live in the U.S. by Money magazine. The town ranked Baldwin 25 and it was the only town on Long Island to make the list. With the magazine ranking, Best Buy and the town's downtown project on the horizon, many residents said they are hoping to see more businesses -and shoppers - come to town.
"We are thrilled that Best Buy decided to come to Baldwin, that's a very big deal," said Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Co-President Ginny Foley. "They're the first major retailer to come here and they are paving the way for better things to come."
