By Anthony Rifilato
The new pharmacy will be located at the corner of Grand and Seaman avenues and is expected to be a boon for the neighborhood and to brighten up what many consider an eyesore of a corner.
"We expect to finish between November and February," said developer Larry Dileo, who added that demolition for the project would begin in a few weeks. The roughly $3 million project will be built on an acre and a half of property, owned by Dileo, who will lease the 14,400-square-foot store to Walgreen's. Dileo also owns Beato Fuel, which recently relocated to West Brooklyn Avenue.
One of the buildings being demolished to make room for the project is Legislator Joe Scannell's (D-Baldwin) headquarters at 1968 Grand Ave. "We are currently in the process of looking for an additional location on Grand Avenue," Scannell said, explaining that the project will benefit Baldwin.
"I am sad to see my office come down, but I'm pleased that businesses believe they can thrive in Baldwin," he said. "In addition, the development will remove the eyesore that is currently there."
Other tenants included D.J.'s Den, a leased recording studio next door and a residence on the corner of Seaman Avenue, next to a vacant lot. Dileo said all tenants at 79 Grand Ave. have been moved out except for one, though he added that he has helped or is helping residents and businesses find new locations.
One of those moving is Evan Crown, of Massapequa, who was moving equipment last Friday from his leased recording studio at 1960 Grand, where he has been a tenant for a year. "He told me when I first moved in that he was looking to sell," Crown said of Dileo, adding that Dileo had been helpful during the moving process. "He's been nothing but great."
Crown explained that some people were sad to see D.J.'s Den next door close its doors, but said the project would benefit the community. "There should be some competitiveness," he said. "It will bring in more revenue for the community."
Members of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, which has been pushing to revitalize Baldwin, lauded the new store. Chamber President Doris Duffy explained that Dileo had presented a drawing of the project at a chamber meeting last year, with aesthetically pleasing landscaping and architecture.
"In addition to bringing in new business, it will beautify that area," Duffy said.
