Panera Bread Opens in Bellmore

Another new business has come to Merrick Road.  

After months of waiting, residents of the Bellmore-Merrick community were able to dine in Long Island's first two-story Panera Bread which opened on Monday. 

"We are really excited to finally see opening day," Ashley Cabarcas, marketing manger of Panera Bread said. 

The 25th bakery-cafe' on Long Island, located at 2375 Merrick Road, offers off-street parking, free WiFi, a fireplace, two dining areas and a community room. 

"Organizations can book the community room for meetings for free," Cabarcas said.

On Monday afternoon, the restaurant was filled with patrons enjoying their lunches and surfing the Internet on their laptops.

Doug Moore of Bellmore treated his family to lunch on Panera's opening day. 

"They really did a beautiful job with the place and I was really excited for it to open," he said. "It's another welcomed restaurant on Merrick Road."
 
The restaurant is one of many new businesses on the bustling street. 

Last week, For Goodness Steaks, a kosher butcher shop, opened to the community's delight and in late November, Chocolate Works, which is located across the street from Panera, opened its doors.

In the coming weeks, Vanilla Sky, Danny's Chinese Kitchen and Dessert City Cafe will open along the busy road. 

Cabarcas said that she is pleased that Panera can give back to the Bellmore-Merrick community.

"We opened in a neighborhood that was deeply affected by Hurricane Sandy," she said. "We have already employed 50 people." 

Do you think that Panera Bread will be a positive addition to the Bellmore-Merrick community? Tell us in the comments below.