Millwood Task Force Chair Dianne Kleinmann, Assistant Administrator Penny Paderewski, Supervisor Barbara Gerrard, John DeMeo, John DeMeo, Jr., and town board member John Buckley; more photos in “Read more” and in “Photo Gallery”
July 23, 2010
by Christine Yeres
Last week orange cones strung with yellow tape blocked the entrance to the Shell station in Millwood on Route 100. “Our customers are going to miss us, but we’ll be back in five months,” said the property’s owner, John DeMeo, “and we’ll be beautiful!”
Yesterday, DeMeo finally broke ground for his long-planned 7,000 square-foot Millwood Market, 4,000 square feet of market downstairs with office space above. Construction is expected to take five months and DeMeo hopes to be open by December of this year. Already the gas pumps have been removed and sidelined and big equipment is moving in.
A “mom-and-pop” family business for Millwood
DeMeo bills the market as “a high-end retail store selling groceries, sandwiches, cigarettes and candy” at the back of the property that will sell Shell gasoline and diesel fuel in front from pumps covered with a generous roofed canopy. “It’ll be run like a mom-and-pop family business,” explained DeMeo, whose son, John DeMeo, Jr., 24, will work with him. “”It’s not easy to do, but we’ll continue to give people full service in the daytime at self-service prices.” At night, pumps will be self-service.
DeMeo purchased the gas station property near the entrance to the Taconic River Parkway in November of 2005. He expressed relief to have survived the five-year process – and expense – of consultations with engineers, architects, lawyers, environmental consultants as well as multiple appearances before New Castle’s planning board. “This project will be very positive for the town,” insisted DeMeo. “We’re cleaning up an eyesore and putting up a great place for the town.”
“The town board is very enthusiastic about this project,” commented Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning along with board member John Buckley and Deputy Town Administrator Penny Paderewski. “This place is an entryway to Millwood and we know that after it’s complete it will be a real asset to the community. John DeMeo is very community-minded, and we’ve been very impressed by his commitment to the project.”
DeMeo has been in the gas station and car repair business on Long Island for many years, but always with leased properties. “Now, finally, at 57,” said DeMeo, “I have my own place, and it’s going to be beautiful.” Financing came from Provident Bank and construction by Aventura Contractors is underway.
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