Drive-Through Starbucks Approved for Hempstead Turnpike

Editor's Note: This article was written by Steven Nicastro.

Levittown residents will soon not even have to get out of their cars to order a venti skinny latte.

A special exception to demolish the vacant Rayco4 building on Hempstead Turnpike and build a new drive-through Starbucks was recently approved by the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals, Councilman Gary Hudes told Patch.

“It was an eyesore,” Hudes said of the building, located just east of the Wantagh Parkway. “This is going to certainly improve the real estate on that corner.”

The approval of the 24-hour Starbucks comes with certain conditions, after several residents who live north of the Turnpike voiced their concerns at the June 13 hearing.

First, cars will not be able to make a right turn onto Loring Road. One concern brought up at the hearing was that the new drive-through would bring extra traffic volume to the residential street. 

The BZA also put restrictions on the sound volume of the drive-through speakers, so noise cannot travel into neighbors backyards. Lighting must also be shielded and remain on the property, Hudes said.

The Rayco4 building, located at 2693 Hempstead Tpke., closed after the company moved next door to the gas station and has remained vacant.

Nearby drive-through Starbucks include 205 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage and 1114 Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh. The closest regular Starbucks is located just a mile east of the proposed drive-through location and it is unclear whether or not that store will close following the opening of the new store.

Construction on the site could start around September once building permits are finalized, the Board of Appeals said at the June meeting. It is too early to tell when the new location could open. 

Stay with Patch for updates on this story as they become available.