“I really want the village to be vibrant and ... that store to be full, but I’m really having a hard time with a 99-cent type store,” stated Malverne resident Tom Grech. “It seems like shlock and junk."
Grech was one of more than 30 residents who filled Village Hall Thursday night to learn more about the future of the vacant supermarket located in Malverne’s downtown.
Three different supermarket chains have tried to succeed at the 344 Hempstead Ave. property in recent years, but all have failed.
“A supermarket is not going to work here,” Grech added. “The people voted with their feet. They did not support [them.]”
Deputy Mayor Joseph Hennessy explained that the village also reached out to Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Kings, King Kullen, and Wild by Nature, asking them to come to Malverne, but the property did not meet any of their needs.
Now, the landlord, Tammy Teller, of Bellrex Associates, whose family has owned the property since the 1970s, is hoping to try something new. She submitted an application to the Malverne village board to change the designated use of the building from a “supermarket” to a “general market,” a switch that requires the board to grant a special exception.
Teller already has a new tenant ready to move in should the village grant the permit. Business partners Eddie Marinelli, Angelo Giannuzzi and Naeem Baig have agreed to sign a 15-year lease for the 9,000 sq. ft. property if they are allowed to open a discount variety store there.
The Malverne General Store, as it would be called, would carry more than 5,000 “brand-name staple products and high-end close-out merchandise” including home décor, bathroom, kitchen and auto accessories, toys, stationary, school supplies, hardware, apparel, baby goods, cleaning, pet and party supplies, seasonal items, cosmetics, gift wrap, snacks and drinks including milk and juice. No prepared food, alcohol or lottery tickets would be sold here.
The store would be laid out with aisles organized by departments, similar to a grocery store. The cash registers, shelving and a small portion of the refrigeration currently in place would stay, and there would be limited signage and product placement in the windows.
"We are trying to stay as close to the supermarket concept for the town, but without the perishables," Teller stated, explaining they were the Achilles' heel of the last tenant.
The three men own three other discount shops in North Bellmore, Bellerose and Cambria Heights. The first one opened more than 20 years ago.
“We don’t have any inventory in the aisles,” Marinelli said of the three existing stores. “You can walk through, you can almost take your shoes off in our stores. They are neat and organized, and that’s what separates us from a typical 99-cent store.”
As they passed around photos of their three other shops, they stressed that the merchandise carried at the Malverne store would be “more high-end,” catering to the village and its residents.
“If we were going to do a 99-cent store, we wouldn't come to Malverne … and that’s a compliment,” said Marinelli, who also owns two restaurants, including one in his hometown of Port Washington.
He said the stores would emulate Amazing Savings, which can be found throughout New York and New Jersey. Marinelli also assured residents that the store’s products would be ones customers know and trust – brands like Colgate, L’Oreal, Duracell, and Rubbermaid -- and the inventory would be consistent each time they visit. A manager would run the store under the supervision of Baig, who lives in Woodmere, and efforts would be made to hire village residents.
Residents expressed apprehension toward the concept, although atleast three women did support the idea, saying they missed the convenience of having a place within walking distance from their home to buy staples like milk, bread and laundry detergent. However, the appearance was a concern.
"It's a good idea for the village, but I think you have to listen .. we don't want it to look like a discount store," Diane McDermott said. "We are proud of our town."
One resident asked village officials what recourse would they have if the store did not live up to expectations. The business would have to comply with the village's codes, but as Trustee Jack O'Brien put it, "if our residents do not like the place, they are not going to come."
"The only way this is going to work is if we do whatever everybody likes," Marinelli added. "Without everybody's support, I'm going to give back the keys in six months and that's not what I want to do."
The board unanimously voted to reserve its decision on the matter, informing the landlord that she would be contacted in a reasonable amount of time with their answer.
What do you think of the Malverne General Store concept? Share your thoughts in the comment sections below.
Best bit is massive campaign contacting those types of businesses which residents feel can fill this smaller store and still be vital in the community. Good luck
The closest market is Pathmark which I hated when I lived in Elmont and Valley Stream. Great fish go to the asian market on front street in Village of Hempstead. it's worth the trip. Write to some of the companies which you feel might be interested in opening in Malverne then get a pettiton going to show the commuities response.
By saying RIP, you insult every person and every effort made by the hundreds of folks who live here, raise their families and volunteer their time. Please post when your house is for sale; I know a bunch of folks young and old, looking to move here!
anyone visited the other locations mentioned ? And for goodness sake stop the sniping.
As far as this general store or dollar store or whatever it is--I say not at this location. Perhaps not even in this town at all. We don't need any more out of town shoppers, especially from Lakeview. You want this area looking like N. Village Ave. in Rockville Center? I work over there, and believe me, you don't. When perspective renters say the building doesn't meet their needs,what they mean is the $15,000.00 per month rent is to high. I believe that is the amount. This, at least makes sense: if you know you won't make a profit selling your products, then you don't belong here.
John, I don't see what is wrong with people from out-of-town. The Malverne theater could not survive without them. Shoppers spend money and support our business community, no matter where they are from - even shoppers from Lakeview. supporting the businesses here. And why are Lakeview residents "especially" unwanted? Please refrain from personal attacks. If someone writes an angry rant, just ignore it. Responding just encourages more of the same.
Get petitions filled so that you have numbers which only help the cause. Blog, Blog Blog is just the start but Blogs allone will not do the job.
We were approached to take over the store and while I was excited about the opportunity to transform it into a Uncle Giuseppe's or Citarella, the math did not work. The rent and the limited parking inhibited us from taking the gamble. I believe that the businesses that have already declined the space felt the same way. I was unable to attend the meeting last week but I have been keeping up with all the updates. It seems to me that these guys are seasoned operators and are looking to create something that will be beneficial to the community. If they don't create what they proposed, the community will talk with their wallets. I believe we should give them a shot because there are not many operators that can make the space work and now that we found someone that may be able to create a viable business, we should jump on it and embrace them. Just my two cents...
Unless school and police salaries are checked we will continue to decay in this area. Noone can pay the taxes and make a profit w/o an enterprise that guarantees decent revenue. Those past days are gone where we can attract merchants of the same caliper. Look at all other communities, RVC, Lynbrook etc etc. Now Simple Pleasures in Lynbrook is closing their doors, adding to their mt store woes?
Residents do not understand that ANY business trying to make it work should be given a chance because many would have looked at the situation as you did. Maybe more business owners should start to comment. I've lived in Elmont, Port Washington which have many vacant stores and the major discouraging factor is Not enough parking. Big grocery stores are just big stores with chains that keep growing in size. Associated seems to have always been a chain with small stores offering a limit variety of brands. The often cater to ethnic groups as does the Valley Stream store which is tiny but survived. Malverne residents might be expecting too much or even the impossoble.
because of the neighboring communities. Terrible thing to say but it's reality. As Kal stated Parking is a big issue. This is probably the big draw back for many businesses. Places like Baskin and Robbins., and stores where patrons do not stay long would work beter with the lack of adequate parking.
Complain on line all you want it will not do a blessed thing. Action, Action, Action, My suggestions are, contact evry concievable business organization with details of vacant properties. Include Details of rent space parking neighboring stores and residential income (average). What hours are other store operating etc. Canvase the are and get residents opinions of what types of stores or businesses they feel Malverne needs. Then get as many people as posdsible to write to corporate offices with rental information try to work with the property owner or rental agent to find out who has previus looked at and turned down the property. Do your homework and get every civic association to work their butts off. Otherwisde sit home have a drink and complain because little else will be accomplished. I have fought government and got somewhere I made many of the recommendations concerning Hempstead Turnpike long before Newsday even thought of starting their review. I had something changed for the better over ten years ago. Send in pictures of the vacant properties so they can be seen in news publications. Good luck to all who might find it important enough to wage a battle.
I no longer live here but have family that still does and I'm very interested in the village's continued well-being. As Jonathan W and others note, speaking up, reaching out to Maverne officials and Merchants' orgs, and making realistic tenant suggestions will be more constructive than armchair griping. It's good to know of the outreach already to Trader Joe's et al -- have there been any follow-ups or counter-offers? Best Yet and Cross Island Fruits succeed without much more space. The area supports the great theater and Antonio's Deli -- there's got to be something workable in Associated's space.