It appears that work is finally starting at the site of the former Commack Multiplex, where a Lowe's home improvement store will move in.
Workers and dump trucks have been seen atop the building in recent weeks, preparing it for demolition and construction. Calls to Lowe's regarding a time frame for the project were not returned.
After 30 years in business, the Commack Multiplex Cinemas, which sits on 20-acres of land, was sold to Lowe's in 2010 for a reported $13 million. The theater officially shut down in September of 2011.
The Smithtown Town Board gave its approval to Lowe's Home Center's plans to take over the former Commack Cinemas site in December 2012.
Frank DeRubeis, Smithtown's Planning Director, said a previous interview with Patch that in negotiating the plans for Lowe's Home Center, it was agreed upon that Henry Street, which is privately paved as a back access for the theater, would become a Suffolk County Road.
Work on the site is being done by Aurora Contractors, Inc., which also created Tanger Outlets at the Arches in Deer Park, Home Depot Expo Design Center in Commack and New York City's World Trade Center.
Lowe's will be in direct competition with the Commack Home Depot, which is located on Crooked Hill Road, less than a mile away.
The home improvement chain's Commack location will be the first in the Huntington and Smithtown areas. Lowe's had plans to take over the land at site of the old Huntington Townhouse on Jericho Turnpike, but pulled out in 2011.
Are you looking forward to Lowe's coming to Commack? Do you miss the multiplex? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
