Woolworth”™s ”“ the store that made the five-and-dime a household name ”“ is going to keep its name and façade in downtown Nyack, thanks to a group of northern New Jersey investors who happen to love the village”™s ambience.
The chain eventually was bought out and closed permanently in the late 1990s, but many of the original buildings are still standing, a fond remembrance for those who shopped there with their parents.
James Cockinos and his brother-in-law, Harry Liapes, along with Dr. Gregory Pappas, have partnered to restore the building and to bring a new family style eatery to the village”™s “restaurant row” on Main Street.
Kouzina (Greek for “kitchen”) Â will call the former Woolworth Way building its new home, and Cockinos said he hopes renovations will be completed in time to serve Thanksgiving dinner.
“I”™ve been coming to Nyack for many years with my family,” said the former restaurateur turned real estate developer. “My brother-in-law, Harry, was also in the restaurant business. Although we”™ve focused on development, we wanted to get back into the business.”
Cockinos and his partners bought the building for $1.3 million and planned to spend another $350,000 in renovating it. One-half of the first floor will house the new restaurant; the indoor mini-mall on the same floor will remain and its interior renovated, along with its second floor.
Cockinos and his partners are already upgrading the cost of the renovations, planning now to spend nearly $500,000. Â “We ripped off the Sheetrock on the walls and discovered this beautiful brick wall,” he said. “Unfortunately, it is full of nails, broken in many spots and repainted several colors. We hoped to save it, but will likely use stucco to give the restaurant a more Mediterranean feel.”
As for the front of the building, Cockinos said the Woolworth Way sign will stay as is and the entire façade remodeled to bring the building back to life  just as it looked in its 1920s heyday. There will be some 21st century touches ”“ the  restaurant”™s windows will be replaced with ones that can open when the weather is cooperating.
“I love old architecture and this building is really solid,” Cockinos said.  “Older buildings can be a challenge to restore … but we think this one is a gem. When we”™re done, I think we are going to have a very unique ”“ and tasty ”“ destination.”
Current tenants are excited by the prospect of the building being redone and saved. Richard Quinn, founder of Rockland World Radio on Woolworth Way”™s second floor, says the building “is unique and beautiful. It”™s been a great home for us since 2003 and we”™re glad to see it being restored and renovated.”
Traditional Greek food ”“  spanakopita, pastitsio, moussaka ”“ will be on the menu, along with fresh fish, lamb and an array of cheeses and olives; perhaps even dandelion salad, which kept the Greeks alive during the throes of World War II and now a menu staple in many Greek restaurants. “We are not going to go ”˜upscale”™ but will offer great food at  affordable prices,” he said. “We are creating a family destination that can be enjoyed by everyone.
“It”™s very exciting for Harry and me,” Cockinos said. “We have been out of the restaurant business for years, but I suppose it”™s always in your blood. Kouvino is going to offer a real taste of Greek cooking in a comfortable setting. What makes this project particularly special is the restoration of the  Woolworth building. It”™s a piece of America”™s history and well worth saving.”
