Those who've bought a cup of coffee at Seventh Street's Dunkin' Donuts or packed groceries in their car in the Grand Union parking lot may wonder what kind of stores are going up across the way. Some residents even called the Garden City Life, asking, "What ever happened to the Imperial Locksmith or quaint, white cottage that housed American International Travel?"

The new building, expected to be completed Dec. 1, will house four new stores, including a full-service health spa, according to a representative from Elias Properties, Inc., the property's newest owner. There are currently three vacancies.

The building which housed the Imperial Locksmith for the past 20 years was demolished, along with a small, white cottage that most recently housed a travel agency, to make way for what Elias Properties is dubbing a "pedestrian plaza." Imperial Locksmith is still doing business, just at a different location. It is now located in the lower level of 226 Seventh Street, although owner Rick Nicolini and company are on the road most of the time. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 248-1022 for service.

Patty Morrissey, owner of American International Travel, is also still doing business on Seventh Street. Her new address for almost three years is 118B Seventh Street, between the Northfork and Roslyn Savings Banks. Call 741-3366 to make an appointment.

"I miss my cottage so much," Morrissey said. "I've been in business in Garden City for 33 years, nine of which were in that cottage."

The new plaza will reflect the look of a town courtyard, according to Sean Elias, with various plantings and benches that coincide with the already pleasing aesthetics along Seventh Street. "We're adding four more stores to the four existing stores," he said. "The existing stores are only 800 to 1,000 feet where as the four new stores will be 1,500 to 3,000 feet."

The new stores will cover approximately 10,000 square feet, double the amount of space of the existing four stores. "We have room for four tenants," Elias said. "We've already got the all-purpose health spa that will offer many services, including massages, and three vacancies. We'd like to maybe put a ladies' boutique in the plaza as well."

In negotiations with the village for approximately six years, Elias

Properties, who owns major shopping centers across the country, bought the property back in 1991-92 and knew the "parking lot could be used to add more space." Original plans called for one store, a Rite Aid, Elias said, but that idea never panned out.

"Having four different shops is probably much better for the village, especially on that street, because it coincides with the feel of Seventh

Street," Elias said. "I think Dunkin' Donuts and the spa are going to be a big draw for the whole area."

Jamaica Savings Bank, who owned the property before Elias Properties purchased it, planned to put a bank on Seventh Street. That idea never panned out either.

Morrissey said she had 90 days to relocate because Rite Aid was supposedly making its way to the area. "Elias Properties told me they'd like me to stay and would call if something opened up. After the first year I was working out of this new location, I got a call asking me to come back because the soccer shop wasn't renewing its lease. I would've loved to go back but I couldn't afford it. So I've been here and it's been difficult because a lot of people didn't know where we went," she said. "But I've built up this business from scratch and just thank God I'm still doing it."

Rick Nicolini, owner of Imperial Locksmith, said he knew this was in the works for quite some time. "For the past 18 years I heard they were going to knock down my building so this wasn't a surprise when it actually happened," Nicolini said. "We knew about it and then it'd fall through. Then something else would come up and that would fall through. Everyone has been very nice about it." Imperial Locksmith was mobile before moving into the lower level of 226 Seventh Street last week. Customers can easily find Imperial Locksmith by entering the building through the parking lot entrance.

When asked if the move would negatively affect his business, Nicolini said, "We would've like to have stayed there because everyone knew we were there but hopefully now people will know we've moved."

Althea Robinson, executive director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, said, "The retail mix can only help the vitality of Seventh Street. As far as the ladies' boutique shop, I think a lot of people are looking for more of that."