A plan to replace the Friendly’s restaurant on the corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Route 347 in Smithtown with a Starbucks was given conditional approval by the Smithtown Town Board at an August 9 meeting.

 

The 4,130-square-foot building at 220 Mount Pleasant Road was previously listed on Loopnet as a redevelopment opportunity. This property is directly across from Insignia restaurant and next to the 7/11.

 

The proposal is for façade renovations, a new drive-through, parking lot modifications, and associated site work in order to replace the Friendly’s restaurant that has closed permanently. The drive-through window will be on the west side of the building.

 

The applicant has agreed to some conditions from the town, including installing an orange fence around all trees to be preserved on the site, and replacing the existing Friendly's pylon ground sign with a monument-style ground sign no taller than six feet high. 

 

The developer is maintaining the existing square footage of the building but according to officials at the meeting, the glass vestibule will be removed and replaced with pillars.

 

The approval includes a proposed change of use from restaurant to counter service restaurant.