Former Jerusalem Avenue Rite Aid Finds New Tenant

Editor's Note: This story was written and submitted by Chris Boyle.

Anyone driving through the Bellmore area within the last few years will likely be very familiar with a certain large, very empty building set on an acre of land on the corner of Pea Pond Road and Jerusalem Avenue.

A former Rite Aid location that has remained dormant for approximately eight years, the building’s days of vacancy are nearly at an end, according to Ken Schuckman, owner of Schuckman Realty, the firm charged by the property’s owners in securing a new tenant.

“The property has been leased,” he said. “Within about 30 days, the business that will be moving in will be announced and be available for public record.”

Schuckman said that the Rite Aid on the corner of Pea Pond and Jerusalem was originally closed about eight years ago when the competing pharmacy across the street was purchased by the Rite Aid Corporation, leaving the company with two adjacent locations and a decision to make about which one to close. However, despite abandoning the building, Rite Aid chose to still hold onto the lease, which is why it has remained abandoned for an extended period, according to Schuckman.

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“Up until the end of 2011, Rite Aid still had the lease and was still paying the rent,” he said. “Last year, Rite Aid returned the property back to the owners. Since then its had a lot of interest from various individuals looking to rent it.”

At present, Schuckman was unable to divulge the name of the business that will be moving into the approximately 19,000 square-foot property, but from feedback he’s received from those in the know, he’s certain it will be a very welcome addition to the surrounding area.

“This is a business that people will be very excited about,” he said. “From what I’m hearing from people I know in the area and people that I work with, the community will embrace this new business and benefit from it tremendously.”

An exact timetable for the opening of the new business is currently not available. Patch will provide more updates, including the identity of the business, as they become available.

What kind of business do you want to see at this location? Tell us in the comments section below.