Former Bank of America Space Sits Empty

While many shopping centers in East Meadow have multiple vacancies, the one that houses has just one – the former space.

Situated at 2310 Hempstead Turnpike, located near , the white and stone building once housed a branch of the banking giant before it moved into a the road in the shopping center.

, , and , among others, neighbor the vacant unit. occupies a large end cap store in the center.

“I haven’t heard of anyone filling it,” said East Meadow Chamber of Commerce President Walter Skinner about the vacant Bank of America space.

Chris Hackert, owner of , which is in the same shopping center, said he also hadn’t heard of any possible businesses filling the unit. Though the owner of his shopping center is not the same as the owner of the vacant space, he said it has been vacant for “at least three to four years.”

“It has been empty for a long time,” he said.

According to Loopnet.com an online commercial land site, the building currently has two spaces for lease, including a 977 square foot office on the second floor. The first floor space available is 4,000 square feet “of office.”

The sign on the outside of the building states that there is office space for rent, but the “bank to remain.” Hackert said that this sign has been up since Bank of America moved off of the premise. The building currently has occupied offices.

Rent for the vacant space on the first floor is set at $25 per square foot, per year from Grubb & Ellis Company, according to Loopnet.com. They were not available for immediate comment.

Skinner said that “people in the community don’t realize the rent and taxes that these [businesses] pay” and that shoppers often opt for the national chains where products are cheaper.

“People don’t go to the little guy and they can’t pay their taxes, so they fold,” he said. “With the amount of rent that they want in those spots, I don’t see [businesses] going there."

Skinner said that he thinks nothing specific should necessarily be put in the space, but a boutique store might add a positive attribute to the local community.

“It would be nice if we had some boutique stores in the community,” he added.

Hackert said that he would like to see an upscale restaurant in the center to compliment the other tenants. The shopping center has easy access and plenty of parking, he added.

“There is plenty of parking here, which is always great,” he continued. This shopping center is always full. It is great – always busy.”