LIBN: Expanding Shoppes at The Boulevard adding new stores and eateries

The retail portion of the sprawling 322-acre Boulevard mixed-use development in Yaphank is growing again.

Called The Shoppes at The Boulevard, the retail complex is adding several new tenants and buildings, as the shopping center’s leasable space expands to its eventual total of 300,000 square feet.

Two of the newest tenants at The Shoppes will be Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie Café, both expected to open next month. Starbucks leased a 2,278-square-foot space and was represented by Russel Helbling of Katz & Associates, while Tropical Smoothie Café leased a 1,623-squarefoot space and was represented by Daniel Glazer and James Valenti of RIPCO Real Estate. Another new business, Bagel Boss, which opened last week, leased 1,522 square feet.

Anchored by a 197,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter that opened in Nov. 2021, The Shoppes has a wide variety of neighborhood retail tenants in three fully occupied buildings completed last summer, including Southpaw Brewing Co., Ridgewood Savings Bank, Northwell GoHealth Urgent Care, Yaphank Wine and Spirits, Monti’s Barbershop and Signature Salon, with more to come.

The Boulevard’s developer, Rose-Breslin Associates, a partnership of AVR Realty and the Breslin Organization, is planning to add seven more buildings to the Yaphank project. A 5,000-square-foot building and two 4,500-square-foot buildings are currently awaiting building permits and Boulevard leasing officials are in discussions with prospective retail tenants.

“We are about to start construction on another three retail buildings,” said Brian Ferruggiari, director of public affairs for AVR Realty. “Understanding the market, and knowing what tenants are looking for, we have designed these buildings with spacious outdoor patio areas.”

In addition, two pad-site restaurant buildings of 9,075 square feet and 8,700 square feet are still to be developed at The Shoppes. The Boulevard will also be constructing two buildings for Northwell Health, a 28,000-square-foot multi-specialty facility and a 16,200-square-foot ambulatory surgery center.

Rose-Breslin Associates began construction on the mixed-use community in June 2015 with a plan to bring housing, retail, an assisted living facility and a hotel to the site of the former Parr Meadows racetrack at the northwest corner of the Long Island Expressway and the William Floyd Parkway.

So far, The Boulevard has brought 535 rental apartments, a 146-key Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel and a two-building Chelsea Senior Living complex with an 86,744-square-foot, 77-bed assisted living and memory care building and an 11,066-squarefoot, 39-bed independent living facility.

Later this year, the Beechwood Organization will complete its 400-unit Country Pointe Meadows condo development at the site and Rose-Breslin is planning another 152 condos on The Boulevard property. And The Shoppes at The Boulevard continues to grow.

“Working with the Town of Brookhaven, and with input from the community, we designed and are building an entire community that is walkable and vibrant,” Ferruggiari said. “With a mix of uses including, healthcare, hospitality, retail, restaurants, and residential, The Boulevard has it all within walking distance. It is extremely satisfying to see this vision become a reality.”

Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio, who lives nearby, says he is thrilled with the success of The Boulevard project.

“None of the many proposals for his property had the foresight or the vision to see what we see today,” Loguercio told LIBN. “I can tell you from living in the area, everyone adores it, everyone uses it and is excited about it. The folks that live there have everything they need, from healthcare, to shopping, to restaurants, to coffee, you name it, it’s right there. The developers thought this out and did an incredible job. I’m very proud to have this in my district.”

David Winzelberg //May 3, 2024