The “closing” signs are down — replaced by something far more welcome.
After months of uncertainty tied to a rent dispute with the property’s landlord, DII Deals and Discounts in Bellmore appears to be staying open.
“Thankfully, the people who own this building listened to the people in the community, and we are so happy they did,” an employee, who asked not to be named, told Greater Long Island on Sunday night. “We really didn’t know what was going to happen until just the other day.”
As GLI reported in November, the landlord was allegedly seeking a significant rent increase, prompting store management to warn that the popular discount retailer could be forced to vacate its Jerusalem Avenue location by mid-January. Calls placed by Greater Long Island to the property’s owner at the time were not returned.
In response, customers were urged to contact the landlord and voice their disappointment over the potential closure.
“Thank you to everyone who helped out,” the employee said.
The Bellmore location opened in June 2000 in the former Rite Aid space across the street from North Shore Farms and has since become a go-to destination for discounted home goods, seasonal items and everyday essentials.
Brooklyn-based DII operates more than 15 stores across the tri-state area, including another Long Island location in Elmont.
Greater Long Island has again reached out to the property’s owner and is awaiting a response.
For now, the signs in the storefront windows tell a much happier story — offering messages of “thank you” and “staying open.”
Top: DII Deals and Discounts opened at 2815 Jerusalem Ave. in N. Bellmore in June 2000 in the former Rite Aid space across the street North Shore Farms. (Credit: Andrew Rappaport)
