Third 7-Eleven in W.H. will bring community benefits

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The Town of Hempstead recently approved a zoning variance for the construction of a third 7-Eleven in West Hempstead, which will tentatively begin next month. The new store will be built on an empty lot at the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Westminster Road, and is part of a property block owned by Rettner Management, a real estate holdings and acquisitions company based in Yonkers.

As a stipulation for being granted variance approval, Rettner agreed to refurbish and reface the exterior of all of the front-facing properties on the block, which extend from Westminster Road to Buckingham Road on Hempstead Turnpike. In addition to redoing the storefront façades, Rettner agreed to build new sidewalks; install an in-ground sprinkler system; remove all dead and diseased greenery; plant shrubs, trees and flowers; create a brick trash area for the 7-Eleven that will match its exterior and have self-closing doors; install brick pavers on the sidewalk facing Westminster Road; and pick up all garbage at least three times a week.

“The whole area is going to have a totally different look,” said Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Community Support Association, who met with Rettner Management along with the Cathedral Gardens Civic Association and executives from the Town of Hempstead. Stores that will receive the exterior refurbishment include Cesar Furniture, La Unica Salon, Eye Deal Optical, Liberty Tax, Artistry Performaning Arts Center, Bagel Craft and the Bridal and Tuxedo Shop.

“They mentioned to us that once they start the 7-Eleven construction, all the equipment will be there to start work for all the other jobs, too,” Norton said.

Why advocate for yet another 7-Eleven? “Because there were alternatives that Rettner could have put in without applying for zoning variance,” Norton explained. “We didn’t want another auto shop or another gas station. We don’t need it. Plus, his plans are for the entire block, and it will not look like a standard 7-Eleven piece of property.”

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