Brixmor SPE 6 LLC located in Manhattan, which owns the Dalewood Shopping Centers I, II and III in Hartsdale, is asking the Town of Greenburgh for approval to convert what had been a Verizon store and before that a movie theater into a 421-seat Korean restaurant. The restaurant would be operated by Gen Korean BBQ, which was founded in 2011. In November, the company reported it had 57 locations in 11 states and South Korea.
In the 1960s, General Cinema Corporation opened an 850-seat theater at 355 N. Central Ave. in the shopping center. The single-screen theater was turned into a twin in 1970, then divided into two more theaters in 1976. It closed in 1994 and the space became a Verizon store.
Marc Newman of Brixmore told the Greenburgh Planning Board that Verizon vacated the space in July of 2022, so it has been vacant for more than three years, “which is a long time in our industry. We’ve been working very hard to backfill the space and have had a few deals fall through.”
Newman said that Gen Korean BBQ has signed a lease for the space.
According to Mike Finan of Langan Engineering, a Special Use Permit and Shared Parking Waiver are being sought from the town to permit the change of use of the 10,725-square-foot space.
“The restaurant will provide for three different dining experiences,” he said. “These experiences include a Korean BBQ section, where customers will grill their own food at the table; a Hot Pot section, where customers prepare their own soup-based meals; and a traditional Sushi restaurant.”
Finan said that Brixmore believes a restaurant serving lunch and dinner will be beneficial to the public interest by providing an alternative to existing food establishments. They also take the position that leasing vacant space at this time will serve the public interest by expanding the local economy and will contribute to the economic health of the community.
“The restaurant will not generate adverse impacts such as excessive noise, traffic congestion, or waste overflow that could affect adjacent districts,” Finan said. “All deliveries and waste management operations occur at the rear of the property in the current condition and will continue to do so to avoid disruptions with customers.”
Finan takes the position that the available parking at the shopping center is adequate for the new restaurant as well as existing businesses. He points out that there is Bee-Line bus service along Central Avenue and sidewalks make the site accessible for pedestrians.
“Changing the use from general allowable commercial use to restaurant, as contemplated here, is not expected to create additional traffic or pedestrian hazards as the building has both adequate available parking and easy access to the property entrance,” Finan said. “No additional exterior lighting, mechanical equipment, noise-producing features, or odor-emitting systems beyond what already exists on site will be introduced.”
