Shake Shack, a burger restaurant giant which launched in New York City, is looking to establish its second Long Island location in New Hyde Park, reps told the New Hyde Park Illustrated News. The company opened its first Long Island spot in Westbury in November 2012.
“We’ve received such a warm welcome in Westbury,” said Edwin Bragg, Shake Shack’s marketing director. “We’ve had a lot of interest from Shake Shack fans in the many nearby villages and towns.”
According to Bragg, the company makes an effort to ensure each new location is tailored to the community, taking “great care to build each Shack with custom architectural design, including forward-thinking structural elements and compelling eco-friendly design.”
“We want to be a community gathering place in New Hyde Park and for the surrounding area,” he added.
The burger joint is targeting a fall 2015 opening. Shake Shack is currently seeking approvals from the Town of North Hempstead’s Board of Zoning Appeals, officials said.
The company initially filed with the BZA on July 31, but received a notice of disapproval on Aug. 28, citing the need for conditional use permits. The spot in question is 1570 Union Tpke. in New Hyde Park, the former home of Deli King in the Lake Success Shopping Center.
Shake Shack’s legal counsel, Diana Prevete of Garden City-based Albanese & Albanese, said Shake Shack would file new plans with the town’s board of zoning appeals by the end of September.
“They have yet to file with BZA but typically the public hearing is held 30-40 days after filing,” said Town of North Hempstead Communications Director Carole Trottere. She said the permit would “allow conversion of a deli to a [Shake Shack].”
Shack reps will meet with local civic leaders in New Hyde Park on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Clinton G. Martin Park.
“I have contacted the civic association because we haven’t filed with the BZA yet,” said Prevete. “[The civics meeting] is to address any questions they might have about the operation. We haven’t filed yet, but we will be filing shortly.”
Lakeville Estates Civic Association President Marianna Wohlgemuth is concerned about the restaurant’s signs.
“We are going to have a small group of people at the meeting primarily to learn what is being planned,” Wohlgemuth said. “We will be advised as to the size and location of the
signs.”
Prevete said Shake Shack does not plan to expand the 2,161-square-foot property.
According to Prevete, the new Shake Shack restaurant would have two signs displaying the company name.
“It’s going to run partially along the area that faces Union Turnpike and partially over the area where the front door of the restaurant would be that actually faces into the parking lot,” she said. “It’s replacing the Deli King signs with Shake Shack signs.”
Lake Success-based Rosenbaum Design Group, the architect of the shopping center where Shake Shack would stand, will renovate the site. They did not return calls for comment.
“Shake Shack is very eager to speak with residents who have questions,” Prevete said. “There will be two representatives of Shake Shack there to answer questions. They’re willing to be transparent and upfront about how things are going to operate.”
