The Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency has approved leases for new restaurant concepts and a retailer at Green Acres Mall, according to an announcement by IDA Chief Executive Fred Parola.
“Our investment in Green Acres Mall and the adjacent Green Acres Commons demonstrates the attraction of these shopping centers to attract a diverse range of high-quality national tenants,” Parola said. “Our investment in Green Acres continues to generate dividends for the residents of the Town of Hempstead in the form of new business, increased employment, and the generation of new sales tax revenues.”
During a March 3 meeting, the IDA approved a lease for HDR Holdings LLC, the Parsippany, New Jersey-based operator of the Wonder food hall concept.
HDR’s Wonder will lease 2,748 square feet at Green Acres Commons, which is owned by Macerich. The fast-casual restaurant will employ between 35 and 40 workers and will offer counter service, takeout, and delivery of prepared foods and meal kits. The chain uses a common kitchen to prepare food sold under various brands, including the recently acquired Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, as well as chef-driven concepts such as Street Bird by Marcus Samuelsson, The Mainstay by Marc Murphy, Yasas by Michael Symon and Bobby Flay Steak by Bobby Flay.
Wonder currently operates stores in Port Jefferson and Melville, among its more than 100 outlets. The company also owns Grubhub, a restaurant delivery service, and Blue Apron, a meal-kit business.
Another dining concept approved for the site is Fogo de Chão, which operates 60 locations nationwide. The restaurant signed a lease for 7,551 square feet at Green Acres Commons and plans to employ 85 workers.
Fogo de Chão was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, by brothers Arri Coser and Jair Coser. The restaurant specializes in churrasco, or fire-roasted meats, inspired by the brothers’ Southern Brazilian gaucho upbringing. The company expanded to the United States in 1997.
The IDA also approved a lease for a Ring Jewelers jewelry and watch-repair kiosk totaling 150 square feet. The kiosk will have one full-time employee and four part-time workers.
