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The former Chase Bank and Manhattan Bank building on 147 South Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst has remained vacant for over a decade.
That can soon change.
Conor Hartnett and the team at Mary Carroll’s Irish Pub in Babylon Village submitted an official building permit application for a restaurant on April 13 and recently received approval from the Village of Lindenhurst for hearing dates.
Village Trustee RJ Renna said this project is five years in the making and described the restaurant as “one of the final pieces to the puzzle” of Lindenhurst’s revitalization.
“This is the elephant in the room and one of the biggest parts of the village,” Renna said. “[Conor’s] vision for the building is pure; it’s keeping the foundation of the property as is…it’s got the making for an amazing restaurant in the middle of the village that I think will compliment the village very well.”
According to their announcement on Mary Carroll’s Facebook page, the family-friendly restaurant will fittingly be named “The Bank” (see the rendering below).
The 1930s building features interior elements such as a double-door vault, exposed brick, and a basement vault, which Renna said Hartnett may convert into dining space.
There is an open, upstairs area that can be used for seating as well and in total the establishment can fit over 240 guests, Renna said.
The village granted Hartnett a six-foot easement so the restaurant can meet ADA compliance with an accessible ramp at the front entrance.
Hartnett requested the removal of five parking spaces at the front of the building on South Wellwood Avenue to allow for an outdoor dining area for 40 people. Renna said this request was not approved due to the upcoming revitalization phase of reconstructing Wellwood Avenue and the lack of downtown parking in general.
The village trustee said his goal since day one of being an elected official was to strengthen Lindenhurst’s commerce and build up the downtown. Renna added the bank has been a “cornerstone” of the village and was the start of this vision, and now it’s becoming a reality.
“Over 30 new businesses since we’ve been around now in the last couple of years, the village has taken off,” Renna said. “We’re just in a really, really great place and we couldn’t be prouder that this is coming to the village.”
Scroll down to watch Stu Fagen of Sabre Real Estate’s video from 2020 which gives viewers an inside look at the old bank’s interior space.
A public hearing before the Board of Appeals is set for May 19 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall. The Village of Lindenhurst Planning Board will hold a public hearing at Village Hall on May 25 at 7:30 p.m.
This is a developing story. Check back with greaterlindenhurst.com for updates on The Bank restaurant.
Top: The exterior of the old bank building at 147 South Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst. Photo by Ana Borruto.
