Construction of new McDonald’s underway on Route 112 in Coram

Construction of a McDonald’s is now in full swing at the corner of Route 112 and Glenmere Lane in Port Jefferson Station, where crews continue major site preparation work ahead of raising the golden arches.

On Thursday, heavy equipment hummed across the property as excavators knocked down and cleared remaining trees, pushed and leveled soil, and refined the building pad. The work is part of an ongoing effort to get the site ready for foundation work and subsequent stages of construction.

The future McDonald’s will occupy a prominent place within an increasingly dense commercial corridor. Directly south of the project is a CVS Pharmacy, while to the north is a small plaza that includes Starbucks, Burrito Boulevard Mexican Grill, and The Pink Finn.

Just last week, Game On owner Tristian Whitworth announced that he purchased the former Movieland Cinemas at Pine Plaza on Route 112 — and plans to transform it into what he’s calling “a giant retro hub.”

The plaza’s three new attractions will include Retro Cinemas — promising to showcase 1980s blockbuster hits — in the corner spot formerly occupied by Movieland. Also on tap are a large arcade and a retro game store.

Coram’s Movieland space is becoming a retro cinema hub

McDonald’s is also in the process of building a location on Sills Road in Medford. Earlier this month, land was cleared at the site, which sits directly across from Sunshine Square, a high-traffic shopping center anchored by Stop & Shop.

_{Top: Brian Harmon photo}

Land cleared for new McDonald’s on Sills Road in Medford