In Lawrence, storefronts are seeking tenants

The end of 2023 marked the end of the Amazing Savings storefront presence on Central Avenue in Lawrence. Signs were posted, prompting customers to visit the Lawrence Lane location, as the 309 Central Ave. storefront joins the list of business vacancies in the area.

This comes after Gino’s Pizza closed last year, leaving 318 Central Ave. vacant, the closure of Five Towns Judaica at 311 Central Ave. and a vacancy at 320 Central Ave. where Dish It Out, moved from, among other empty storefronts in the village. At 341 Central Ave. what was once Meisner’s and J.Korn’s Marketplace and Bake Shop, is set to become a Meat Maven.

Dish It Out owner Ilana Buchsbayew and Lawrence Mayor Alex Edelman both share that these vacancies are not something they’re worried about.

“I know personally there are so many businesses looking to open on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst or Lawrence,” Buchsbayew said. “I have people calling me asking if there is any space. I don’t see retail spaces open for long.”

Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said Cedarhurst business is doing extremely well, with 100 percent occupancy of store fronts.

Edelman said that Lawrence village does everything in their power to speed up the process of bringing new business in, in terms of helping with permits.

“We expedite this process literally within days,” Edelman said.

In terms of the Amazing Savings closure, Edelman said he is aware of a plan to split up the property into various spaces and refurbish it.

“It’s not going to be vacant for too long,” Edelman said.

Buchsbayew is aware of at least four merchants looking to fill storefronts in the area, she said.

Edelman said the Nassau County Fire Department’s approval is one factor delaying incoming business, being that they are pointing people in various different directions, he said.

Buchsbayew said that the Nassau County Fire Marshal, Michael Uttaro is thorough in assuring new businesses are following code.

“He’s making sure everything’s updated properly, which is not a bad thing, he’s just very very strict,” Buchsbayew said. “It’s been difficult for new businesses to get in there just because it’s hard to get his approval.”

Uttaro said that delays are typically within the building departments, but once businesses come to the fire marshal with proper safety equipment such as sprinkler systems and alarms, the turnaround is about six to eight weeks, one of the quickest he knows of, Uttaro said.

“We don’t like to play ‘got ya,’” Uttaro said. “We’re always available to come to a chamber meeting so we can help educate or inform about the process.”

As for other businesses in Lawrence, Scott Fagan, owner of Traditions Eatery, at 302 Central Ave., said that he has seen no impact to his own business and doesn’t anticipate a change, due to vacancies in surrounding storefronts. Several other merchants in the area agreed that they have seen no change in business, since Amazing Savings closure and Gino’s Pizza.

Have an opinion on vacant storefronts in Lawrence and Cedarhurst? Send letter to jbessen@liherald.com.