CVS Pharmacy has applied to open at the recently vacated Food Emporium site at 510 Middle Neck Road in the Old Village. Village of Great Neck Building Superintendent Norman Nemec confirmed that the pharmacy chain "filed a full set of plans" to open a store of about 5,000 square feet. Mr. Nemec did not know if this store would replace the CVS north of this site or if it would be the third CVS on the peninsula (another CVS is located in Great Neck Plaza).

Mr. Nemec also told the Great Neck Record that there is also space at the old Food Emporium site for a future tenant in the empty space between the proposed CVS store and the current Mangia Bene restaurant. He said that there is approximately 8000 square feet in that empty space.

According to Mr. Nemec, the plans for CVS call for renovations both in the store and on the outside, but that there are "no substantial renovations." He said that the plans call for "non-structural, cosmetic" renovations both within the store and on the outside.

Mr. Nemec said that the outside façade would be "pretty much the same," but with a "decorative synthetic and stucco" façade with about eight transom (high) windows. The windows would be high enough so that passers-by could not see into the store.

The proposed plan will also have to be heard before the village's Architectural Review Committee. Plus Mr. Nemec, said that several dry wells will have to be installed. This, he said, will help with the flooding problems in nearby buildings.

Village of Great Neck Mayor Ralph Kreitzman confirmed that several sources had informed him that CVS was seeking to move south, to 510 Middle Neck Road. Food Emporium site landlord Kris Torkan, however, could not offer any confirmation. Mr. Torkan told the Record that if he is "able to take the space back from A&P," he would then be able to comment about further use of the property.

When the Record sought further information from CVS, the chain was not forthcoming. When asked about the filed plans, Mike DeAngelis, director, public relations, CVS Pharmacy, stated: "We have no announcement about a new store in Great Neck. We only confirm or comment on new locations if there is a signed agreement for a site."

When further questioned, Mr. DeAngelis reiterated that "There would need to be a signed lease or purchase agreement for a project before we would confirm a new location. In the absence of that, we have no comment."

The Food Emporium closed its doors on Middle Neck Road on Feb. 23, following just a few weeks notice to their employees and subsequently the public. Angry public response was fueled by unconfirmed talk of a "non-compete" clause in the contract between Food Emporium owner the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) and local landlord Kris Torken.

While questions to A&P brought only non-commital responses saying that the closing was "based on many factors including performance and reach" and that A&P felt the community would be "better served" by the Waldbaum's in the Plaza, Mr. Torken has been unable to answer the non-compete question. Mr. Torken has consistently told the Record that he has not been able to discuss this issue due to a "confidentiality agreement" with A&P.