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Approved, approved, approved.
Brookhaven’s town board gave the green light on all three requests in an application to open Long Island’s first-ever drive-through Shake Shack.
Shake Shack sought a special permit for a major restaurant as part of a commercial center, approval of accessory outside seating, and waivers of special permit criteria for a location in an existing Selden shopping plaza on Middle Country Road.
Shake Shack expects to open the new location sometime in 2025, a spokesperson for the chain confirmed. The town board’s decision marks a significant milestone for Long Island and for the Shake Shack brand, sparking comparisons to when other trendy and prominent chains, such as Trader Joe’s, Chick-fil-A and Whole Foods, debuted in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Located in Westfield Center, on the corner of Blue Point and Middle Country roads, the restaurant’s inclusion of a drive-through feature enhances accessibility, catering to various demographics, including families and commuters.
The shopping center now houses an Aldi supermarket, Carvel, and other stores, which stand to benefit from the foot and vehicle traffic expected to be generated by Shake Shack’s arrival.
The town board issued its resolution Thursday, following a public hearing on the proposed 3,400-square-foot hamburger and ice cream shake joint.
In 2021, Shake Shack began operating drive-through locations, with 32 now open in the United States and two more internationally (in Mexico and United Arab Emirates), a spokesperson for Shake Shack told Greater Long Island.
In Suffolk County, Shake Shack has restaurants in Lake Grove and Melville. The chain also has several locations in Nassau County. Shake Shack owns and operates over 400 locations globally.
Top photo: Instagram/Shake Shack
