Lowe's future in Commack is unclear, following an announcement last month that the company will halt the construction of several planned stores, according to a Newsday report.
The company announced Oct. 17 that in addition to closing 20 underperforming stores in 15 states, they plan to halt a number of proposed new stores. Starting next year, Lowe's plans to open 10 to 15 stores per year, less than half of the previously projected 30.
A Lowe's spokeperson could not comment on the company's plans to build a store on the former site of the Commack Multiplex, which Lowe's purchased in May 2010. The theater after 30 years in business.
The company confirmed Tuesday to Patch that it had a store in Huntington Station. Contractors already began construction on the 18-acre site formerly occupied by Huntington Townhouse, which the company bought in 2007 for a reported $35 million.
Lowe's spokesperson Karen Cobb would not comment on the status of the Commack site, telling Newsday "Lowe's owns property in Commack, but we have made no formal announcement regarding plans."
However Frank DeRubeis, director of Smithtown Planning and Community Development Department, told Newsday he received a call Tuesday from a Lowe's attorney telling him that the company's plans for the Commack store were still ongoing. Lowe's preliminary application for the location currently sits before the town's board of zoning appeals.
The home improvement retailer paid Massachusetts-based National Amusements approximately $13 million for the 20-acre Commack Multiplex property.
A Patch writer's calls to Lowe's media relations department Wednesday were not returned by press time.
So many good memories. I'm sorry to see the theater go.