By Hector Flores
The supermarket is taking over the old Rite Aid building, at Peapond Road and Jerusalem Avenue. Once the building's renovations are complete, the store will boast 20,000 square feet of shopping space.
According to Richard Fraschilla, director of operations for Western Beef, the new location is one of two prototype stores (the second is in the Bronx). What sets these two supermarkets apart from the old Western Beefs is that they resemble today's more modern supermarkets.
"Western Beef is always looking to improve its look," said Fraschilla. "We evolved from a meat market warehouse and gradually turned into conventional supermarket, but we have kept our meat department the same throughout our changes. We have 21 supermarkets and four junior discount outlets. This will be our second prototype store with the updated new format."
The old Western Beef markets were mostly warehouse-style, with cement floors, offering meat and produce. The new prototype will have tiled floors and an indoor bakery, which will sell fresh bread daily. The market, however, will maintain its warehouse-style meat department, which will have a walk-in refrigerator where customers can buy meats in bulk.
"They can buy a piece of filet mignon, and a butcher will custom cut it in any way they desire it," said Fraschilla. He added that Western Beef Supermarkets offer customers greater savings than many other markets because they buy directly from farms.
"We have a produce department that is stocked from our own warehouses," he said. "We buy directly from farms in California, Florida and New Jersey. All the produce we buy, we store at our warehouse, which is then sent to our stores. As a result, we don't need to buy from other vendors. Since we cut through the middleman, the savings are reflected in our prices."
During a recent meeting, Western Beef representatives offered the North Bellmore Civic Association a presentation about the proposed design and construction plans for the new store. Although the association members were pleased with the presentation, there was concern regarding traffic conditions on Jerusalem Avenue.
"What we saw was nice, and if it stays that way, there won't be any problems," said Reinaldo Nunez, the Civic Association's president. "The only problem we see is the possible traffic congestion because of the delivery trucks. What happens is that Jerusalem Avenue has become a substitute to the Southern State Parkway. When the parkway gets backed up, Jerusalem becomes the alternate route."
Another concern is with the Saw Mill Road Elementary School. After 3 p.m., cars line up on Saw Mill Road and Peapond Road, which is just around the corner from the new Western Beef.
The association has raised its concerns with Western Beef representatives. "We have met with the North Bellmore Civic, and they have concerns with Jerusalem Avenue, and we know them and understand them," said Fraschilla. "But at the same time, that is where you want the store, where people can get to it, and we have taken their concerns into consideration."
The store is now in the demolition phase of the renovation. The company is waiting for paperwork to clear before rebuilding work can begin.
According to Susie Trinkle, Town of Hempstead press secretary, the Western Beef supermarket's building is zoned for retail use, because it was the site of a former retail space, Rite Aid. The only thing the company needs is a permit for the interior restoration.
The Civic Association plans a second meeting with Western Beef representatives on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at the North Bellmore Public Library on Newbridge Road. The meeting will give local residents the opportunity to view the plans for the new supermarket.
