POLL: Should Starbucks Open In Patchogue?

PATCHOGUE, NY — Starbucks continued to take steps to potentially build a new store in Patchogue this month, to the dismay of some community members.

In February, Five Point Real Estate announced that Bargain Bilge Marine Supply on 159 W. Main Street was sold for over $2 million and the building's owner, George Emrick, confirmed he sold the nearly 1-acre property to the major coffee-shop chain.

ABH Realty Group, representing Starbucks, presented its application with the Village of Patchogue during a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on April 7 for a special permit to construct the over 2,000-square-foot coffee shop on 159 W. Main Street.

In order to do so, a change of zone was required as the area is currently under a D2 Zoning District, which allows for the coffee shop but not the added drive-thru and outdoor seating that the business hopes to include.

The Starbucks on Main Street also plans to feature a drive-thru with single lane long enough to hold about 10 cars, parking for about 15 spaces, 42 seats inside the shop and a walkup window, according to a report in the Long Island Advance.

However, some residents disagree with the idea of having a Starbucks in the area, including Jess Lukas who started a petition on Change.org, 'Stop Starbucks on Main,' which has received over 1,400 signatures.

"Main Street in Patchogue has grown exponentially over the last few years and small businesses up and down Main St. continue to thrive," she wrote on the petition. "I, along with I'm sure many of the residents in the area, would like to see our small town vibe stay intact and continue to grow in the fashion it is now."

However Emrick doesn't believe that Starbuck's presence will affect local businesses.

"First Roast came into town," he told GreaterPatchogue. "Now was it fair to Roast that they let the Bean in on the next corner?"

What do you think?