Sonic may open in East Meadow Plaza

Sonic is eyeing a new location: East Meadow Plaza. This would be the first Sonic in Nassau County and only the second in the state, following the opening of a restaurant in North Babylon last April.

Sonic is a nationwide chain of fast-food restaurants that feature burgers, hot dogs, chicken and milkshakes. Food is commonly delivered to parked cars by a server on roller skates.

Store owners and residents alike know that business is slow in the plaza, but said they are unsure whether a Sonic would improve their economic woes. “I don’t know if it’s going to help or hurt us,” said Peter Bruce, manager of Frantoni’s Pizzeria and Restaurante.

But Aquarius Cards owner Marcia Krinick said she welcomes the new business. She said she hopes a Sonic would draw more people to her business, though she thinks the traffic would slow down once the initial excitement died down.

East Meadow resident Becky Gillman Goldberg agreed, saying, “The site-specific traffic will go down once the novelty wears off, and any traffic at the new Sonic will be minimal compared to Hempstead Turnpike. The problems on Hempstead Turnpike will be there with or without Sonic.”

While some residents are prepared to battle the traffic Sonic could bring, others are concerned, and say they do not believe the former Rita’s location is the appropriate place for a Sonic. Liz Fries, a Kiwanis past president, said, “We have a problem brewing right now.”

“What I understand from my friends out east is the traffic generated from Sonic has not reached an acceptable level,” said resident Sharon Oderwald. “There can be a line half a mile long just to get in. I’m all for new business, job opportunities and revenue for our town, but I want this to be done right, taking all the factors into consideration.”

Jeanne Shea Herring, a 35-year East Meadow resident, said she does not want Sonic in her neighborhood, but added, “That shopping center needs to be cleaned up … That area is such a focal point for East Meadow. We all have to get together and find ways to beautify East Meadow.”

Sonic recently submitted approval for a drive-in restaurant that would include 24 drive-up stations with menu boards as well as a drive-through window. The application was slated for discussion at a Town of Hempstead Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Jan. 11, but William Cohn, the lawyer representing Sonic, has asked for an adjournment until Jan. 25.

Cohn said that Sonic will present three witnesses, a real estate appraiser, a traffic expert and a Sonic representative. “[Sonic] would certainly enhance the businesses that are in the shopping center without any detriment,” he added. “If anything, that shopping center needs more traffic.”