Planned Entertainment Club in Wantagh Prompts Concerns

Word of a planned entertainment complex in Wantagh that will be run by a North Bellmore strip club owner has prompted concern by residents who worry about what will be embarking in their neighborhood.

However Billy Dean, owner of the business slated to open at 3500 Sunrise Hwy, is trying to emphasize that he is not planning to have any form of adult entertainment in the Wantagh location and will instead be offering a dinner club with "unique comedy acts."

Dean, who owns , a strip club located on 1538 Newbridge Rd. in North Bellmore, has announced on his website that a new entertainment facility will be opening in Wantagh. This announcement prompted a petition drive Thursday by members of the Wantagh Mommas Facebook group urging people to contact local elected officials because of concerns a strip club may be coming to their community. 

Dean said in a phone interview that rumors of his business operating as a strip club such as the one he owns in nearby North Bellmore are not true. Dean's website states his new business, which does not yet have a name, will feature "a full service restaurant, cocktails and extraordinary entertainment such as the likes of the Coney Island sideshow combined with unusual acts typical to "Americas Got Talent" along with complete dinner theater packages."

"This is going to be a similar to a comedy club," said Dean. "It is going to be a completely different concept."

Wantagh resident John Schwally said despite Dean's assurances that he will not be opening a strip club he still has many concerns over what will be moving into the property that formerly housed Frank's Steaks. "It is still a question mark in my brain," said Schwally. "Something still doesn't smell right."

Wantagh Chamber of Commerce President Chris Brown said he has had no contact with Dean over his planned business. Brown said he has been in touch with Hempstead town officials who informed him that Dean was given zoning approval for a dinner club but as part of the agreement is not allowed to have any nude dancing. 

Dean said construction is underway for the business and he is in the process of marketing it. He did not give an estimated date that the business will open but said it would likely be sometime next year.