By Anthony Rifilato
In 2002, the owners of F&J Classic Cigars opened their high-end cigar shop on Grand Avenue, in the hope of becoming a staple in the community and a meeting place for cigar lovers. The lounge concept worked, and business soon took off. F&J attracted customers not only from Baldwin, but from surrounding areas as well.
But the owners soon found that the area - near the corner of Merrick Road - had its share of problems, including gang and drug activity, which, they believed, kept potential customers away. "They had about four or five shootings in that time period," said Miles Fox, a retired NYPD detective who co-owns the business with Baldwin residents Jack Melo and Frank Saez. "A lot of people didn't want to walk down that block after dark."
Things took a turn for the worse a few years ago, when a suspicious fire at a bar next door, Cousins, caused extensive damage to nearby businesses, including F&J. "We lost customers to other cigar stores because we were closed for about three months after the fire," said Fox.
And even though they tried to make another go of it, Fox said that business just wasn't the same after the fire, and the trio decided to close and concentrate on their location in Freeport, at 236 Woodcleft Ave. along the Nautical Mile.
"Over here it's great, but I would love to get back in that area," said Fox, referring to Town of Hempstead plans to redevelop that stretch of Grand Avenue. "Here it's pretty much seasonal, but in Baldwin business would be steady all year round. They could put nice shops there, maybe a couple of restaurants, like here or in Rockville Centre."
Coincidentally, town and county officials said their goal is to make this part of Baldwin the equivalent of the Nautical Mile, with quality shops and lots of foot traffic. Town Councilman Anthony Santino said the town is looking to make the area a "destination spot" and a "viable, vibrant commercial area."
"The town will choose a developer to build a commercial center," Santino said at a Town Hall meeting in South Hempstead earlier this month. He explained that the town is looking to bring in new businesses that would include national retail companies, like Barnes & Noble, in what many consider to be an ambitious urban renewal project for Baldwin.
A new commissioner makes the rounds
In recent weeks, Charles Theofan, the new commissioner of the Department of Planning and Economic Development, has been updating residents and community organizations about the project. Theofan noted the sentimental feeling residents have about Nunley's Carousel, which the town is still trying to include in the plan despite reservations that it could hinder the effort. As the town reaches out to potential developers, it is creating two proposals, one with the carousel and one without it.
"Certainly everyone wants the carousel in Baldwin," said Theofan, adding that the "carousel will not be able to generate the amount of income to match what the cost of the property actually is."
He said that, ultimately, the town is looking for a developer to pay for the entire project, and explained that a private entity is more likely to assume the costs without the carousel. "When we select a developer, we're going to look for a developer to pay for all of these costs," Theofan said.
Theofan, a former Long Beach city manager, noted the town's use of eminent domain in acquiring the five-acre property, and the controversy surrounding such an initiative.
Earlier this year, the town released a blight study of the area, saying that 50 percent of the buildings are vacant and that the west side of Grand Avenue is in dire need of redevelopment. The study included Grand Avenue and Merrick Road from Prospect Street, and is seen by the town as a first step toward an urban renewal project.
"The government does that [eminent domain] under limited circumstances, where a community has a problem," said Theofan. "That problem is blight."
F&J was not the only business to leave the area in recent years, creating a row of empty storefronts. Theofan noted the steady stream of businesses that have left. "I think the final straw was when the bridal shop went out," he said, referring to Ariana Studios on the corner of Grand and Merrick.
Still, on a recent Friday, the area was active. One business, Bonao Centro Corporation had a line nearly out the door; the cashier at Andy's Mini Market didn't seem to have a break at the counter. There are also larger businesses, such as Baldwin Kitchen & Bath Designs, that were included in the town's blight study but have been successful in Baldwin for generations.
"Every one of those property owners will be fairly and justly compensated for their land," said Theofan, explaining that the town is in the process of hiring appraisal firms in order to determine the fair market value of the property. "They're usually more than adequately compensated," he added. "It is a fair process."
If property owners feel that they are entitled to more than fair market value, Theofan said, the amount would ultimately be determined in New York State Supreme Court. Despite such potential legal wrangling, he said, officials hope to complete the project in two to three years. In that time, he added, businesses and residents would be assisted in relocating.
"There is substantial relocation in this project," said Theofan. "We're going to relocate [tenants] anywhere they want to go." While he admitted that tenants and most business owners have yet to be informed about the relocation, he explained that the town planned to address residents in the near future. Currently, Theofan said, the town is working with one store owner on relocating nearby, though he would not identify the business. "Those who have not proactively come to us, we will be reaching out to them soon," he said.
Theofan also explained that the town has retained a relocation specialist, whose services will include - since many tenants are Hispanic - bilingual speakers, and who will provide tenants and businesses with the necessary forms and information. Theofan said that residents would most likely be relocated to better homes, and that if people do not want to be moved, they may be compensated instead. "I hope, when all is said and done, people don't say that government hasn't addressed their needs," he said.
Theofan explained that businesses included in the blight study but not slated for condemnation would be part of the urban renewal plan. In an effort to further improve the area, the town is looking to expand the blight study to include some properties across the street on Merrick Road. Theofan said this would make funding for beautification projects such as façade improvements available to business owners and landlords to further improve the area.
"The fact that these properties are in an urban renewal area allows us to do these things," he said.
In the end, Theofan said, the final result would be a revitalized downtown. "You can expect a real class operation on that property," he said.
That's just fine with Miles Fox, who said he wouldn't mind reopening F&J near the new site in the future. "You'll have more foot traffic on that block, and people can unwind with a nice cigar," Fox said.
