Former Wantagh OTB Property Close to Development
Developer Larry Weinberbger nearing deals for three to four tenants at planned new storefront off Sunrise Highway.
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The former Nassau OTB property on Sunrise Highway in Wantagh is inching closer toward development.
Larry Weinberger, who purchased the 0.72-acre parcel on 3340 Sunrise Hwy. from Gloria R. Keily Trust for $3.4 million two years ago, said he expects to sign three to four tenants for the new retail center around late February. Weinberger, who is president of MGD Investments in Bellmore, did not say what retailers he expects to occupy the 6,100 square-foot building but indicated there have been discussions with many national companies as well as some local businesses.
“We have had a tremendous amount of retail interest,” Weinberger said. “We’re going to do a beautiful new storefront there.”
One national business that Weinberger came close to signing for the Wantagh property was Buffalo Wild Wings, but the Bellmore-based developer opted out because some of the demands the restaurant chain insisted on.
“We left at the altar,” said Weinberger, who owns several retail properties along Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road.
The property had been run by Nassau OTB until its lease ended on Dec. 31, 2010. The betting parlor had waged a legal battle against Weinberger for control of the land at the corner of Sunrise Highway and Seaford Avenue but ultimately lost in the courts.
Weinberger said he has already obtained the necessary building permits from the Town of Hempstead to begin construction once lease deals are in place. In preparation for the new retail space, Weinberger has installed a new façade around the old OTB building. The developer also renovated a car wash located next to where the shopping center will be located that he also owns.
Eric Jurist
4:19 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Just what we need - more retail. I suppose if the developer found a bank dumb enough to finance it he should have at it.
Kevin
3:25 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
We should thank Mr. Weinberger and know he has our community's best interest at heart. He joined with the community to fight against the two Strip Club owners and we should remember that. What we want are business men like Mr. Weinberger, what we don't want are Strip Club owners.
Jon
3:00 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Looks like Kevin Milano got bored again & is still convinced that the place on sunrise is going to be a strip club, despite the fact that there has been no indication that it would be one, other than his own conspiracy theory.
Patrick
11:28 am on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Kevin, how is your appeal against Billy Dean on the parking variance going? We haven't heard anythig recently, please, do tell.
Andrew Coen
9:47 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
@Patrick: Please refrain from personal attacks. To clarify your comments, Weinberger's attorney did speak out against the Billy Dean proposal at the Town of Hempstead BZA hearing in May.
Seth B. Levy
7:08 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
I understand all the controversy behind a strip club in the area because of the residential neighborhoods surrounding and the sensitivity of the type of business operations.
I also applaud Larry Weinberger, he's managed to redevelop many ailing commercial projects, while creating jobs, spurring growth in the economy, and creating a more aesthetically appealing neighborhood for us to live, work, and play. Is he doing it because he wants to make money, of course, but who wouldn't. Thats life.
Regarding Bill Deans...Although i dont necessarily agree with having a strip or "adult entertainment" club in the area, i would much rather prefer for these activities to be confined to a controlled and monitored area so we don't find these out of work dancers on our streets. Similar to the red light district in Amsterdam or Patong, Thailand, crime is minimal because the adult entertainment industry is controlled and regulated. During prohibition when the government outlawed alcohol, did everyone stop drinking or did they break the law to get their moonshine? My point exactly...
Go get em Larry!!
Patrick
10:56 am on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Renovated the car wash next door? What you failed to mention is that he forced the owners of that car wash, who had been there for many many years, out. How did he do this, you ask? By increasing the rent to an unaffordable level. Every business owner in the area better hope good 'ol Larry Weinberger doesn't buy the property where their business resides, or they may find themselves out of business. But as you say, Seth, go get em Larry. I used that car wash all the time, never again, and I hope everyone who reads this does the same.